The excitement is mounting as Conor McGregor prepares to return to the UFC octagon against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 on June 29 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
This much-anticipated match during the promotion’s annual International Fight Week will be a five-round welterweight bout, marking McGregor’s first fight since UFC 264.
Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler: Coaches Weigh In on Upcoming UFC 303 Bout
John Kavanagh, the head coach at SBG Ireland and McGregor’s longtime mentor, shared his thoughts in a recent interview with SevereMMA. Drawing comparisons to McGregor’s past performances, Kavanagh predicted a swift victory for his fighter. He stated:
”I’ve said this from the start, I see similarities to the Mendes fight. I’d be surprised if it can go two rounds, I’d be surprised. He’s just hits too hard, too sharp. Is there going to be scrappiness and a few takedowns and stuff? maybe but every round’s starts on the feet and his ability to get back there is underestimated. So I’d be surprised if we see two rounds.”
Coaching Rivalry and Postponement Background
The upcoming fight adds another layer of intrigue as McGregor and Chandler were opposing coaches on season 31 of The Ultimate Fighter. Originally expected to face off before the end of 2023, the bout was delayed due to issues McGregor had with USADA, pushing the fight to mid-2024.
McGregor’s last appearance in the octagon at UFC 264 ended in a first-round TKO loss to Dustin Poirier. Similarly, Chandler also faced a setback against Poirier, suffering a submission loss in the third round at UFC 281.
Chandler’s Vision for the Fight
Michael Chandler has expressed a deep conviction about his upcoming fight against McGregor. During an interview on The Shawn Ryan Show, Chandler articulated his determination and the significance of this fight in his career:
“I will absolutely break this man and the whole world is going to get to see it. It’s going to be the best moment of my professional life. I am the better fighter, I am the tougher fighter, and I’m the guy who deserves it more…I believe we suck the oxygen out of the octagon, he looks for the exit sign somewhere in the second round, and I usher him toward the door.”
Both fighters are coming off losses but are determined to reclaim victory, setting the stage for a dramatic clash at UFC 303. The MMA community is buzzing with anticipation, awaiting one of the most highly anticipated bouts of the year.
