Michael Chandler to Dethrone Conor McGregor as ‘UFC’s Most Entertaining Man’ With This Move; UFC Legend Asserts Narrative

Chael Sonnen thinks Michael Chandler may be in a position to become the most entertaining fighter in the UFC. The title, of course, currently belongs to his upcoming opponent, UFC megastar Conor McGregor, who has used his natural charisma, legendary mic skills, and sharp sense of humor to become the most popular fighter in the history of the sport. Not to mention having “fast-forwarded” the sport by “ten years,” as heavyweight champion Jon Jones put it.

Sonnen reminded the audience just how good ‘Notorious’ was at playing the heel and reminisced about how hated he was by fellow UFC fighters and a large section of the fans after he disrespected Dustin Poirier‘s wife (with the infamous “your wife’s in me DMs” barb) after breaking his leg at their UFC 264 trilogy clash. The verbose UFC analyst told the audience that he was among the few people who defended the bombastic Irishman on account of the former two-division champion being willing to catch flak from the UFC world to entertain fans.

“Do you understand what a sc*mbag Conor was when he left? They hated him, people that work in the UFC hated him because they like Jolie and they like Dustin so much and the DMs and the whole bit,” he said in a YouTube video.

Michael Chandler recently said that he would target Conor McGregor’s previously injured leg in their upcoming UFC 303 fight. ‘Uncle Chael’ felt that if the former Bellator champion talked more about this and talked trash about McGregor, the Dubliner may find himself going into their bout as the baby face.

“They were so upset. If Chandler stays on the ‘he was already hurt he shouldn’t even be fighting me I’m I’m going to go beat fight a one-legged man,’ he stays on it, ‘I’m going to retire and retire your favorite fighter.’ If he stays on there is a very strong chance particularly if Chandler brings the injury into it, not just skills if he brings in the injury and points out ‘you’re hurt, haha,’ almost like he’s picking on a disabled guy, can you imagine the heat? Chandler will be the heel of the fight if Chandler stays on that he will turn McGregor’s baby face,” Sonnen said in a YouTube video on his channel.

Sonnen felt that McGregor was primed to be a victim given his prevent injury, and if Chandler could lean into making the Irishman the victim in the storyline of their fight, he may find himself becoming “the UFC’s most entertaining man.”

“There is nothing that people sympathize more than a victim. If Chandler makes Conor the victim while making himself an evil heel and wins, Michael Chandler will take the throne as the UFC’s most entertaining man,” he added. And if Chandler manages to win, it would make him a big star next.

McGregor is in a bad spot going into Chandler’s bout

Michael Chandler and Conor McGregor will face each other in a welterweight bout at UFC 303 on June 29. The duo appeared as rival tough coaches on last year’s season of ‘The Ultimate Fighter’, where the animosity between the two men was palpable and even led to a physical confrontation.

While McGregor had a shameful showing in the season, with all but one of his fighters making it to the later rounds, he can yet redeem himself in his upcoming bout against Chandler. However, things are not looking good for the Irishman.

‘Mac’ has fought four times in the past six years and has lost all but one of those bouts. Coming off consecutive losses, a serious injury, and nearly three years of inactivity, there are not many who give the Irishman much of a chance. However, given his popularity and sheer star power, that is unlikely to make a dent in the PPV and ticket sales.