“I Call the Shots”: Conor McGregor Makes Wild U-Turn on Michael Chandler Fight as Justin Gaethje’s BMF Strap Pushes UFC Star to Make Untamed Statements

The UFC has a new BMF champion! Justin Gaethje and Dustin Poirier featured in the main event of one of the best cards of the year so far at UFC 291. ‘The Highlight’ got the better of ‘The Diamond’ and became the UFC’s second-ever BMF champion. Gaethje’s knockout win sent shocks through the MMA world and put him in the spotlight. Not much later, former double champion Conor McGregor expressed his urge to fight for that belt via a bold statement on social media.

UFC 291 was packed with finishes and action. Justin Gaethje’s amazing head-kick knockout of Dustin Poirier was a fitting finale to an epic night. The newest BMF has already received a few callouts, and one of them is from ‘The Notorious’, who lost to Dustin Poirier in his last UFC fight over two years ago.

Conor McGregor wants the BMF strap

Conor McGregor shared a Twitter post claiming that he is the real BMF in the UFC. Furthermore, he hinted at snubbing his potential fight against Michael Chandler, which was Dana White‘s initial plan for McGregor’s return. The former double champion seems to have lost interest in that proposition. Rather, ‘The Notorious’ wants a crack at the BMF title and may be willing to take on Justin Gaethje.

McGregor said, “I’m the real bmf, he can fight for pennies if he wants but I want spirits, I call the shots, I’m in it to launch shots, f*** chandler, you want it call for it.” In his typical style, Conor McGregor mentioned his influence in the promotion, claiming that he chooses to fight whoever he wants.

READ MORE: Conor McGregor Sends a 5-Word Message After Dustin Poirier Gets Knocked to the Shadow Realm at UFC 291 by Justin Gaethje

All of this spelled trouble for Chandler, who had been angling for the McGregor fight for months. Surprisingly, the former Bellator champion also had similar aspirations and laid out his options on social media.

Is Michael Chandler done waiting for McGregor?

‘Iron’ Chandler did not miss any of Conor McGregor’s tweets. In response, he issued one of his own. Seeing Justin Gaethje win the title, Chandler said the new BMF might need a worthy opponent to defend the title next. However, by the term “worthy” opponent, the former Bellator champion meant himself.

He said, “Well now [Justin Gaethje] has the [BMF] belt – he has to defend it against a worthy adversary.” Chandler is yet to fight this year. Having shown his interest in fighting Justin Gaethje, will that be his next match?

It is not the first time Conor McGregor has mentioned canceling the Chandler fight. Further, the Irishman is still not in the USADA pool. Meanwhile, Chandler has been doing everything by the book to score the infamous ‘red panty night.’ But is he finally moving on from his dream fight?

What do you think of these statements in the aftermath of UFC 291? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.

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