Chandler Calls Out Nate Diaz For UFC 306 – ‘Conor Sits And Watches’
Michael Chandler has called out Nate Diaz for a UFC 306 clash with The Sphere on September 14.
Chandler has not had a UFC fight since 2022, when he lost to Dustin Poirier at UFC 281. He chose to wait patiently for the Conor McGregor fight as it was all systems go for UFC 303. However, McGregor withdrew after suffering a toe injury. While he hopes to return by September, Dana White has doubts about McGregor fighting this year. Following Diaz’s win over Jorge Masvidal, Chandler wants him next.
Chandler vs. Diaz
Elsewhere, Chael Sonnen has urged Michael Chandler to take a possible fight with Islam Makhachev. Chandler has said he was offered the Makhachev fight. A fight with Islam offers him a title shot. It makes the McGregor fight even bigger if Chandler wins. However, there is a danger that he will get beaten comprehensively, which could reduce the demand for the McGregor fight. Despite those concerns, Sonnen urged Chandler to take these opportunities.
“If Michael Chandler is offered Islam Makhachev, there is a message being delivered to him, that he has got to be able to hear. The words, ‘We cannot get you Conor McGregor. We are not going to get you Conor McGregor. Don’t make that mistake. You’ve got to get the matches you can get when you can get them. [And] you’ve got to win the matches you can win when you can win them. You’ve got to sign the matches you can sign when you can sign them. In front of everything else, get the fight and get it into the ring,” Sonnen said
Chandler vs. Islam
Nevertheless, it is important to consider the following points. Chandler is 38 years old, meaning it is vital that Chandler makes the right move. If he faces McGregor, he is likely to make the highest payday of his career. The event already set a UFC record of $20 million, making it the highest UFC gate of all time. The press conference also sold out within nine minutes, showing the huge demand to see the fight. If Chandler secured a win over McGregor, he would likely get a rematch, earning him even more.
McGregor is not the same fighter who became a two-weight world champion. He has lost three out of his last four UFC bouts and is coming back from a career-threatening leg injury. He has not had a UFC fight since losing to Dustin Poirier in 2021. Sean O’Malley felt Chandler could stop Islam if he landed on his chin. Poirier succeeded with his striking before losing to Islam via a submission. But facing Islam will be a lot tougher than McGregor, who has been inactive for so long. Sonnen still advised Chandler to pursue a title shot as he is not getting any younger than 38.
“We are not going to rebook you and Conor McGregor.’ Those words are not being used, but there are a number of reasons why they can’t. There are a number of legal words in our industry that matter—’canceled’ versus ‘postponed.I never recommend waiting, time is not your friend in this business,” Chandler stated
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