After much anticipation, the Michael Chandler vs. Conor McGregor matchup has finally received the green light from the UFC. ‘The Notorious’ will square off against the former Bellator champion in the main event of UFC 303 on June 29, coinciding with International Fight Week.
While fans eagerly await this explosive showdown, former UFC Hall of Famer Chael Sonnen believes Chandler may be harboring some serious animosity towards McGregor, potentially transforming him into a “heel” leading up to the fight.
Speaking on a recent episode of the Good Guy Bad Guy podcast, Sonnen delved into Chandler’s mindset and the prolonged wait for the McGregor fight.
Sonnen On Michael Chandler Conor McGregor’s Fight
“I’m talking about heel, make no mistake. Michael Chandler is furious with Conor McGregor. He has not forgiven anything. He hasn’t forgiven having hands put on him two separate times during the Ultimate Fighter. He hasn’t forgotten that he has waited almost two years… And Conor’s telling him that I’m going to go 185, or I’m even going to go box Manny Pacquiao,” Sonnen explained.
“He [Chandler] has been so reserved being nice, and many people will do that in a negotiation. They want to be nice until they get their way. He got his way and the bad guy is coming. Trust me, this guy is upset. He doesn’t care who knows now,” Sonnen added emphatically.
In a recent Instagram video, Michael Chandler addressed the journey leading to the confirmation of his fight with Conor McGregor. He revealed that he had “a lot more reassurances behind the scenes” during his time coaching opposite McGregor on ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ that the fight would eventually come to fruition.
Michael Chandler says his ‘hard work paid off’ by waiting for the Conor McGregor fight:
“I never really doubted it as much as you guys did. I had a lot more reassurances behind the scenes than you guys know about. I just knew it was gonna take time.
I had my moments that I… pic.twitter.com/diIrdKxKCU
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) April 15, 2024
“I never really doubted it as much as you guys did. I had a lot more reassurances behind-the-scenes than you guys know about. I just knew it was gonna take time. And I preach exactly what I had to go through and I had my moments that I didn’t do so well with it, but the hard work eventually pays off, you just have to still be standing there when it does,” Chandler stated in the video.
This welterweight clash promises fireworks on multiple levels. Both fighters are known for their aggressive fighting styles and knockout power, ensuring an electrifying encounter for fight fans.
Additionally, the contrasting personalities of McGregor, the flamboyant showman, and Chandler will add another layer of intrigue to this highly anticipated matchup.
