via Imago
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 10: Conor McGregor of Ireland prepares to fight Dustin Poirier during the UFC 264 event at T-Mobile Arena on July 10, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
via Imago
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 10: Conor McGregor of Ireland prepares to fight Dustin Poirier during the UFC 264 event at T-Mobile Arena on July 10, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Dana White sent the MMA community into a frenzy when he announced the return of “The Notorious” Conor McGregor. White announced that McGregor’s road to UFC return will begin with coaching the next season of “The Ultimate Fighter.” His opponent on the show and in the cage thereafter will be “Iron” Michael Chandler. McGregor previously coached season 22 of “The Ultimate Fighter“.
Although White announced no details about the fight, speculations have already started regarding the timeline, location, weight class, etc.
via Getty
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA: Conor McGregor prepares for his welterweight bout against Donald Cerrone during UFC246 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images)
However, it appears that one of those details has now been confirmed. Leading MMA analyst Ariel Helwani gave more insight into a potential McGregor vs. Chandler fight.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Key detail for Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler confirmed
According to the latest reports, Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler will be contested at welterweight. The news does not come as a surprise, as both McGregor and Chandler had previously expressed an interest in fighting at welterweight. Considering all the muscle McGregor put on during his time away, a welterweight bout works better in his favor.
Ariel Helwani on The Ringer MMA Show confirmed Conor McGregor/Michael Chandler will be at 170lbs.
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) February 5, 2023
As for Michael Chandler, the 36-year-old had stated that he wanted McGregor “at his biggest and his baddest”. Chandler is also a big lightweight who could do away with a drastic weight cut by fighting at welterweight.
Having landed the big fight he had been calling for since his UFC debut, Chandler responded to the news after the official announcement.
Michael Chandler’s response after TUF announcement
The former Bellator champion posted a video on his social media shortly after the announcement from Dana White.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Pumped is an understatement. #TUF31 #TUF #mcgregorvschandler pic.twitter.com/lzeyBCEZmn
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) February 4, 2023
He further added, “Conor was the fight that I wanted. Conor has expressed interest in wanting to fight me. And now here we are gonna be on ESPN, my team versus his team.” He also stated, “Competing every single day. The competition starts right now. Chandler versus McGregor starts right now.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Watch This Story– Best Conor McGregor TUF moments
What are your thoughts about McGregor vs. Chandler happening at 170? How do you think it will affect their prospects at 155? Do you prefer them fighting at lightweight or welterweight? Let us know in the comments below.
