On the latest season of The Ultimate Fighter, we saw a new rivalry brew when Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler headed opposite teams as coaches. During one of the episodes, we finally saw the culmination of the rivalry when the two faced off in the octagon. Fans couldn’t contain their excitement for the return of Conor McGregor after a devastating ankle break against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264.
There have been spurious claims about the fight, but recently, McGregor and Chandler seemingly agreed to fight at 185 pounds instead of the 170 that was decided earlier on The Ultimate Fighter.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) September 10, 2023
Chandler was keen on fighting at 185, as this would prevent him from undergoing the harsh weight cut required. “185 would be great…finally an easy cut after 22 years of hard weight cutting. #Seeyousoon” replied Chandler to McGregor’s response to a fan who asked if he would fight at 170 next.
185 would be great…finally an easy cut after 22 years of hard weight cutting. #seeyousoon https://t.co/dDcCVCpAOx
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) September 10, 2023
He even mentioned this would be an easy cut after 22 brutal years of weight-cutting. Unfortunately for fans, it hasn’t been smooth sailing for this exciting match-up. McGregor, in his typical fashion, has been creating a social media ruckus recently by calling out various fighters other than Michael Chandler.
Conor McGregor calls out Alexander Volkanovski
Earlier this week, Conor McGregor called out featherweight champion and pound-for-pound great, Alexander Volkanovski on social media. “Ask my bo**ox that little sausage volkonovski is no way p4p 1. Silly. That’s quick work for me. 100% accuracy work. Readable. Hittable. Hurtable. I like he has this title tho we should fight at some stage so the FW goats will have all faced off and let there be no debate,” added McGregor.
Ask my bollox that little sausage volkonovski is no way p4p 1. Silly. That’s quick work for me. 100% accuracy work. Readable. Hittable. Hurtable. I like he has this title tho we should fight at some stage so the FW goats will have all faced off and let there be no debate.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) September 10, 2023
The Notorious going up against Volkanovski will be a delight for fans, but very well could be a mismatch for McGregor, who has not fought for 2 years, and has lost 2 of his last 3 fights.
McGregor vs. Chandler postponed till next year
There was much traction that suggested McGregor will headline UFC 296 in December. Most of this was purported by McGregor himself, but his inability to re-enter the USADA pool has put a hedge in his plans for a return this year.
Conor McGregor has 48 hours left to enter the USADA testing pool if he’s going to fight at UFC 296 which is the final PPV of the year.
If he doesn’t enter 6 month testing pool by Friday, he will not be fighting in 2023 per the rules of USADA. pic.twitter.com/0l8muMBHdv
— Verdict (@VerdictMMA) June 14, 2023
According to the UFC, a fighter who has been absent from the USADA pool needs to be back in it for at least 6 months and pass two drug tests before being deemed eligible to fight again. “I’m ready. I wanted an announcement Dec. 16. I’ve given everything. It’s not going to happen; it doesn’t look like it’s going to happen.” Said Conor McGregor in a voice note in August, mostly in relation to USADA’s mandates.
Even though the bout is postponed, it could set up one of the biggest cards for the UFC for its 300th installation next year. UFC 300 is likely to be a blockbuster of an event given its significance and a main event featuring McGregor would be a dream scenario for Dana White.