UFC champ Islam Makhachev: Michael Chandler ‘looks very bad’ waiting for Conor McGregor

March 15, 2024 8:45 pm ET

UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev thinks Michael Chandler is wasting his time on Conor McGregor.

Chandler (23-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC) hasn’t competed since a Fight of the Night war with Dustin Poirier in November 2022. He was officially dubbed as McGregor’s return opponent ever since filming Season 31 of “The Ultimate Fighter,” which aired from last May to August.

McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) announced a June 29 return and has been chomping at the bit to fight. However, UFC CEO Dana White won’t commit to that date, pointing to McGregor’s wealth as one of the delaying factors. Makhachev says Chandler should have moved on a while ago instead of waste his fighting prime.

“You know, honestly, I hope this happens, but in this situation, Chandler looks very bad,” Makhachev told MMA Junkie. “Because how many years has he been waiting for this fight? Every night he goes to bed and has a dream, ‘I will fight with Conor McGregor.’ Man, you’re not young.

“You have a chance to fight someone, make money. And after, you can fight with Conor. He had already lost his last fight. Lose one more time and make money. Maybe if you lose again, Conor will see this fight and think, ‘Oh, OK, I can beat this guy.’ It’s a good fight for the fans, but for the division it means nothing.”

McGregor is currently traveling around to promote the release of “Road House” in which he stars alongside Jake Gyllenhaal. The movie premieres March 21 on Prime Video.

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