Conor McGregor highlights conundrum Michael Chandler faces in wake of UFC 303 cancellation
When former UFC title challenger Megan Anderson was asked this week if Michael Chandler should continue to wait for a fight with Conor McGregor, she expressed nothing but frustration at the situation.
âIâd be so upset if I was Michael Chandler right now,â Anderson, who works as an ESPN analyst, said in a TV segment. âI would be upset, but heâs also got himself to blame. He put himself on the shelf for two years waiting for this fight. He could have said, âHey, whenever Conor decides heâs ready then weâll match it, and Iâll take some fights in between to stay active.â He couldâve gone that route, but he chose not to. He chose to wait it out, and look where thatâs left him.
âHe might not ever fight Conor McGregor, and heâs just put himself on the shelf, out of the cage for two years. Thatâs two years of his prime that heâs losing out on. Thatâs two years of money that heâs losing out on, and he has a family that he needs to provide for.â
Indeed, Chandler has been exceptionally patient as heâs waited for the biggest fight of his storied career to come to fruition. Chandler is being put to the ultimate test after McGregor revealed Friday that a broken toe caused his sudden withdrawal from their UFC 303 headliner that was set for June 29.
So why would Chandler continue to sit idle waiting for McGregor? âThe Notoriousâ shed some light Friday with pair of X posts in response to critics of Chandlerâs decision to stay on the shelf.
Chandler is getting paid 10x of what his contract states for other fights. Meaning he would need to fight 10 fights to make what he would make in this one. Iâm The One.
â Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) June 21, 2024
Chandler is getting paid 10x of what his contract states for other fights. Meaning he would need to fight 10 fights to make what he would make in this one. Iâm The One.
For those saying he could have fought 2 or 3 times by now etc. Heâd need 10 to break even with this cheque.
â Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) June 21, 2024
For those saying he could have fought 2 or 3 times by now etc. Heâd need 10 to break even with this cheque.
If true, a payday 10 times Chandlerâs regular rate would certainly explain the display of patience to this point. The one question that remains is if McGregor will still fight Chandler after McGregor said he looks forward to fighting out his UFC contract â against âChandler or not.â
All that does is make it clear that Chandlerâs patience will continue to be thoroughly tested.
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