Conor's Little Whipping Boy?
09/19/2024 11:10 AM
Michael Chandler wasted more than two years of his competitive prime waiting for a Conor McGregor fight that never materialized, primarily because "Notorious" is so easily derailed. When he's not dodging mandatory drug tests, the former two-division champion is stepping on his own brittle toes.
During his extended timeout, Chandler was mercilessly mocked by his fellow fighters, who claimed he was "delusional" for thinking McGregor was going to compete. But "Iron" argues every single one of those critics would have done likewise in the hopes of scoring a life-changing payday.
"It's really funny," Chandler told MMA Fighting. "You've had a thousand fighters sit here across from you and talk to you doing interviews and all of them who have said that I was Conor's little whipping boy or I was waiting too long or I was wasting my career, every single one of them would have held onto this Conor fight even if they say publicly that they wouldn't. Every single one of those guys wants this fight."
McGregor is rumored to be returning in "early 2025," according to UFC CEO Dana White.
"I still stand firm in the notion that Conor McGregor is coming back," Chandler continued. "When he does, his road goes through Michael Chandler and we finish The Ultimate Fighter. But it's not going to be my next fight. I am Conor's next fight but he is not my next fight. When he gets his house in order, I'll be waiting for him. If not, I've got no problem beating Charles [Oliveira] and going to fight for the title because if I had that choice today, I'm going to fight Islam [Makhachev] after I beat Charles."
Chandler rematches Oliveira at UFC 309 in New York.
