Michael Chandler Expresses Frustration Over McGregor’s Delay
Michael Chandler has spoken out over the increased delays in a potential fight between him and Conor McGregor.
The talk of a fight first cropped ever since their appearances on the TUF 31 series as rival coaches. Chandler managed to get the better of McGregor in the series, with his fighters having a better head-to-head record. However, when it came to the coach’s challenge between the fighters, McGregor would gain his revenge.
That background set up the narrative for the fight, which has yet to materialise. McGregor’s problems with enrolling in USADA had prevented a bout in 2023. The rules require that fighters must provide two negative samples over a six-month period before they can fight. The ‘Notorious’ failed to meet that deadline in 2023.
Since then, McGregor has reentered the testing pool, which would put him in line for a potential comeback at UFC 300. Despite the Irishman’s desire to fight on the card, Dana White had ruled that out. Instead, White expected McGregor to return in the summer. And with so many pitfalls still yet to be overcome, Chandler understandably became frustrated.
Chandler On McGregor
“[Have I been] frustrated at times? Absolutely. Annoyed? Maybe a little bit here and there. Because we get that rush, we love fighting, we love competing…The door opening for this fight with Conor, whenever it’s finally supposed to be, it will be, and I’m just being at peace in the midst of the waiting.
“Hey listen, nobody would like the hypothesizing to stop more than me, alright? And yes, obviously I talked about this big announcement today, and people are like, ‘OK, finally we’re going to get the Conor and Chandler fight, right?’ So I know. To anybody out there who like ticked off today, I’m sorry, but I just don’t have any information,” Chandler said
Will The Fight Happen?
Nevertheless, there is a danger that McGregor will turn his focus elsewhere. The fighter has been linked with other names, including Justin Gaethje, after he vowed to ‘slap’ the latter around the cage. Meanwhile, McGregor has not hidden his desire to have a third fight with Nate Diaz. Their current record stands at 1-1, with McGregor coming out on top in their last bout.
Diaz has expressed his desire to return to the UFC at some point in the future once his boxing endeavours are over. And following his boxing bout with Jake Paul, Diaz has failed to secure the boxing rematch that he was hoping for after suffering a unanimous-decision defeat to the ‘Problem Child.’ And the idea of McGregor facing someone else is something that Chandler is aware of.
“I’ve heard it. [And] I’ve seen Conor talk about other opponents. I’ve seen Conor talk about different dates. I’ve seen Conor talk, completely dismiss me and act like to fight with me isn’t happening. These are all ways that these guys try to get inside people’s heads. Unluckily for them, your boy’s bulletproof, alright?” Chandler
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