Conor McGregor is a name in Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) that needs no introduction. He is a two-division champion in the UFC, known for his brash personality, sharp tongue, and devastating striking skills. However, in a recent interview, McGregor showed a slightly different side of himself when he talked about his potential fight with Michael Chandler.
Chandler is a former Bellator champion and a recent addition to the UFC’s lightweight division. The 35 year old made his UFC debut with a knockout of his opponent Dan Hooker in the first round at UFC 257 in January 2021. Since then, Chandler has been on a mission to climb up the UFC rankings and earn a title shot.
In addition, in the same interview, McGregor made it clear that he has no issues with Chandler, but he plans to “slice through him” if they ever fight. This statement is classic McGregor, known for his bold predictions and braggadocio attitude.
But what does it mean for the potential matchup between the two fighters?
Firstly, it’s important to note that as of now, no official fight has been scheduled between McGregor and Chandler. The former is set to face Dustin Poirier in a trilogy fight at UFC 264 on July 10, 2021. While, Chandler is waiting for his next opponent, which could be anyone from the top 10 of the UFC lightweight rankings.
Assuming that a fight between McGregor and Chandler does happen in the future, it would be a fascinating matchup. Both fighters are known for their striking abilities. McGregor being one of the most lethal strikers in UFC history, and Chandler possessing heavy hands and excellent wrestling skills. McGregor’s statement about “slicing through” Chandler indicates that he is confident in his striking and believes that he can finish the fight with his hands.
Chandler however, isn’t an easy opponent to defeat. He has proven numerous times that he can take a punch and keep coming forward. In his UFC debut, Chandler showcased his striking skills and knocked out Hooker with a sharp left hook. He has also shown in his previous fights that he can use his wrestling to control his opponents on the ground and dish out punishment.
Hence, Conor McGregor’s statement about Michael Chandler is what someone expects from him keeping his persona in mind. Where he shows confidence in his fighting abilities and makes predictions that boosts his brand image. While no official fight is scheduled between the two fighters, a potential matchup between McGregor and Chandler would be an exciting affair for MMA fans. McGregor’s striking skills against Chandler’s well-rounded game would make for an intriguing matchup. However, only time will tell if McGregor can live up to his prediction of “slicing through” Chandler.
