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Brett Okamoto, ESPN Personnel Author
Will Conor McGregor in fact battle Michael Chandler? Will it remain in 2023? Just McGregor appears to understand … and honestly, even he may not understand at the minute.
McGregor (22-6) is anticipated to deal with Chandler (23-8) eventually following the conclusion of Season 31 of “The Ultimate Fighter” truth series on ESPN, which the 2 shot together in Las Vegas previously this year. The seventh episode of the season airs today, and so far, Group Chandler professional athletes are an ideal 6-0 over Group McGregor.
At this time, nevertheless, the 34-year-old has actually not rejoined the USADA drug-testing swimming pool, which he is expected to be in for a minimum of 6 months prior to any go back to competitors. McGregor is likewise presently dealing with sexual attack claims There is no rumored date for the battle, nor any clearness on what weight it would be at. UFC president Dana White firmly insisted recently the battle might still occur this year, however the remarks felt much more theoretical than concrete.
In the meantime, Chandler, 37, is left biding his time, waiting on mixed martial arts’s equivalent of a winning lottery game ticket. He has actually informed ESPN numerous times he stays positive McGregor will battle him ultimately– since refraining from doing so would leave a “stain” on his tradition– however in lots of methods, the battle feels no more detailed today than it did months earlier, when the UFC initially revealed it.
For how long is Chandler implied to await a challenger who has just combated 4 times in the UFC over the previous 7 years?
ESPN anonymously surveyed numerous mixed martial arts supervisors on what their recommendations would be to Chandler, who is now in jeopardy of going a complete fiscal year without a defend the very first time in his 14-year profession.
‘ You can’t await something that may never ever occur’
” He’s going to need to proceed. You can’t relax and await something that may never ever occur. McGregor still has such a huge ego and his self-confidence hasn’t lessened, however that does not matter when they shut that cage door on you and I believe deep down he understands that. Chandler is the very best stylistic defend McGregor since Chandler will get a little careless and McGregor has that accuracy striking. There’s no doubt that’s a great defend him, and he still does not desire it. That’s why they call it ‘F– you cash,’ since he can simply state, ‘F– you, I’m refraining from doing this any longer,’ and whatever in his actions is stating that. I would not be shocked if we never ever see McGregor once again after this. This program was his last hurrah– or if he does discuss a battle once again, he’ll be the kid who sobbed wolf and we’ll all state, ‘Yeah, OK.’ Which’s fine. McGregor has actually left a fantastic tradition, he does not require to combat any longer.”
Will McGregor vs. Chandler ever occur? “I do not believe so. Think individuals when they reveal you who they are. Do not attempt to encourage yourself of another story. We have actually been waiting on McGregor to enter the USADA swimming pool in time to combat by December, which date reoccured. So, what are we doing now? Waiting on a man with numerous countless dollars to come back and battle Michael Chandler, a man with absolutely nothing to lose? It does not make good sense.”
‘ If the UFC 300 due date passes, book another battle’
” If he’s my customer, I’m informing him to sit and wait. Chandler hasn’t beaten anyone of note in the UFC. He’s had the ability to get these huge battles based upon his name. It resembles the stating, ‘Do not kick a present horse in the mouth.’ The UFC is offering you these huge battles without you needing to truly make them through the grind of winning battles, so sit and await the present they have actually offered you. I would state however, UFC 300 in March or April, when you pass that turning point of being on that card or not– if that battle isn’t made by UFC 300, I believe it’s then clear that McGregor isn’t returning. So if I’m Chandler, I’m aiming for UFC 300, which suggests McGregor would require to be in the USADA swimming pool around October. If that due date passes, book another battle.”
Will McGregor vs. Chandler ever occur? “Despite the fact that I would still inform Chandler to wait, today, I believe there’s a 10 percent possibility that battle occurs.”
‘ I do not understand what other choices exist’
” At this moment, I would still encourage him to wait. That’s the very best chance on the table– and no other chance will come from another location near to that. Perhaps set a due date on when you’ll proceed, based upon Chandler’s responsibilities in life or his household requires, however I do not even understand what other choices exist for him. McGregor’s actions aren’t matching what he’s stating at this minute, and it does not appear like he’ll be battling in 6 months since he hasn’t fulfilled that USADA requirement. However that’s the very first concern I would wish to be responded to. What does the scenario with USADA appear like? Is it for sure 6 months, or exists a scenario in which he could battle faster? Chandler has actually done an extraordinary task producing these huge battles, however if you take a look at the leading 5, he’s currently combated Justin Gaethje, Dustin Poirier and Charles Oliveira A battle with McGregor, I would believe, is going to pay him 4 to 5 times more than any other battle. So I would continue to wait.”
Will McGregor vs. Chandler ever occur? “Yes.”
‘ I simply do not believe Conor is encouraged to combat Chandler any longer.’
” I would inform him to take a battle. I simply do not believe Conor is encouraged to combat Chandler any longer. And things alter so quickly as battles occur. Undoubtedly, we do not have a crystal ball or anything, however what if Alexander Volkanovski beats Islam Makhachev and calls out Conor McGregor? Does McGregor wind up taking that battle over the one Chandler’s waiting on? Chandler’s profile has actually currently increased from the program, and a battle versus McGregor will constantly exist, if and when Conor does return. With a few of my people, it does not matter how effective they are, their dedication to the fitness center never ever alters. I do not understand if that holds true for McGregor. I do not understand what’s going to occur for the remainder of the program, however Chandler’s group is 6-0 today. I would attempt to bait McGregor on that or connect to his management group straight to assess whether the battle will occur.”
Will McGregor vs. Chandler ever occur? “No.”
‘ Conor McGregor will definitely battle once again’
” I would talk with the UFC and state, ‘Hey, is this reasonable?’ I would then examine whether I might take another battle and still have the McGregor battle after that. Go to the UFC and state, ‘Hey, this man isn’t battling up until next year, it’s just July, can I take another battle in the meantime and still have that battle waiting on me?’ The UFC would never ever put something like that in composing, however I would lean into that relationship and simply need to take their word on it. However I would wish to take a battle this year since it simply seems like there are substantial obstacles that require to be gotten rid of in order for McGregor to combat once again, and I do not understand if those obstacles are being gotten rid of today.”
Will McGregor vs. Chandler ever occur? “If it’s a one-word response, yes. To elaborate, I would state Conor McGregor will definitely battle once again, I simply do not understand when it will occur and whether it will protest Chandler when it does. However he will battle once again, without a doubt.”
‘ Wait as long as there is cash in your account to live’
” Wait as long as you can, and milk this since a chance like this is not going to return. Chandler is most likely never ever going to be a light-weight champ, he’s nearing completion of his profession. He has kids, he has a household. Wait as long as there is cash in your account to live. Battling McGregor deserves millions, and it’s not even practically the cash. It’s the magnitude of the battle. And it’s a winnable defend Chandler. He has absolutely nothing to lose and whatever to acquire; why would he leave that? McGregor will battle once again. His ego will require it. He likes the attention excessive.”
Will McGregor vs. Chandler ever occur? “I believe this battle will occur, and I still believe it will occur by the end of this year.”