Conor McGregor has a reputation as the best trash talker in combat sports, but it doesn’t appear his sharp tongue will get much work against Michael Chandler – at least not yet, anyway.
As filming on The Ultimate Fighter season 31 gets underway in Las Vegas, the former two-division UFC champion is gearing up to coach opposite Chandler on the reality show before they meet in the octagon later this year.
While McGregor is more than capable of making things personal, he doesn’t have a bad word to say about Chandler after they spent some time together while preparing their teams for the season ahead.
“I like Michael. We’re blokes,” McGregor said to his website The MacLife, on Thursday. “I posed with him yesterday. I’ve got no issues with him at all. He’s an excellent fighter. Coaching against him, I’m interested to see his coaching style. He’s more of an athlete type of a guy than a technical martial artist. I know he’s got some skills in the wrestling department, and he’s got some skills overall. But as far as the small, finer details, I’m interested to see.
” I am happy right now. It will be an interesting one to go against him [on the show] before I go against him [in the fight].”
Chandler was vocal in his desire to fight McGregor from his very first UFC appearance. Now, just two years after his initial UFC appearance, he is finally getting it.
Both competitors arrive at the fight coming off a loss to Dustin Poirier; McGregor snapped his leg in brutal fashion against “The Diamond” at UFC 264 while Chandler suffered a third-round rear-naked choke submission loss to Poirier at UFC 281.
Looking ahead at the matchup, McGregor considers Chandler “similar” in nature to a past opponent, Chad Mendes, whom he defeated to become UFC interim featherweight champion before coaching The Ultimate Fighter Season 22 in 2015.
Chandler is a formidable opponent due to his strong base in wrestling and knockout power. McGregor appears confident that he will dismantle Chandler, just as he has done so to many of his past rivals.
“I think I’m just going to slice through him,” McGregor said. McGregor said, “I believe I’m too slicy to him than any other fighter he has fought.” A little too snappy and whippy. He’s a little too snappy and whippy.
Right now, McGregor vs. Chandler doesn’t have a date or location, though the fight isn’t expected to take place until after The Ultimate Fighter finishes airing in August. They also haven’t settled on a weight for their fight. The Irish superstar had a laugh when that very question was raised while filming the reality show.
“185 [pounds],” McGregor joked “That’s what I said to him yesterday. He was just having fun. He’s a nice guy.”
As far as choosing to coach another season of The Ultimate Fighter versus just booking his next fight, McGregor appeared more than happy for the opportunity while also reintroducing himself to the UFC after two years away from the sport.
” To be fully immersed in business, the sport, and being around young hungry fighters who are emerging,” McGregor stated about TUF. McGregor said, “Put yourself right into the mix and get back onto the horse.
” That was my motivation, my purpose and why I did it. Also to give back the game. My knowledge and wisdom to pass on to my next generation .”
and allow them to feed that energy
Source: https://www.mmafighting.com/2023/2/23/23612521/conor-mcgregor-has-no-issues-with-michael-chandler-but-im-just-going-to-slice-through-him?rand=96749
