According to UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier, Conor McGregor is intentionally embracing the role of the antagonist in his ongoing conflict with Michael Chandler.
On New Year’s Eve, McGregor announced on social media that he would make his UFC comeback in a bout against Chandler during International Fight Week in June. Additionally, McGregor mentioned that the fight would take place in the middleweight division, a weight class both fighters have never competed in before.
Cormier, a longtime fan of professional wrestling, sees the situation as a classic scenario of a hero (babyface) versus a villain (heel), and believes that McGregor is fully embracing the role of the villain.
“Why did he mention 185? Well, if you watch the video, you’ll hear the laughter at the end,” Cormier explained in a video on his YouTube channel. “It’s like Dr. Evil in Austin Powers. Remember when Dr. Evil would make a little joke, laugh, and point his finger in his face? Because he knew he was the villain. That’s what McGregor is doing.
“McGregor has a bad attitude. McGregor is playing the game. McGregor is the villain right now because the villain manipulates. The villain pulls the strings, the villain is the puppeteer. The villain is the one with his own music. He moves you to his rhythm, and the villain moves you to his rhythm.”
Since joining the UFC in 2021, Chandler has rapidly become one of the promotion’s most popular fighters due to his fighting style and positive demeanor. McGregor has also displayed a similar charm at times, but he’s also shown that he can play the other side of the coin.
“McGregor is the villain, but do you know why? Because Michael Chandler is a good guy,” Cormier stated. “Michael Chandler refuses to play the villain, even though sometimes it’s in his own interest to do so. In this situation with McGregor, he’s willing to play the villain a little bit and push back.” I should have said it. I’m done with you. Damn you. …I believe McGregor would have come back a little sooner if he had said, ‘No more.'”
Chandler’s last fight was in November 2022. He coached McGregor’s opponent on “The Ultimate Fighter 31” and is preparing to fight the former two-division champion. McGregor has been out of action since July 2021 when he sustained a foot injury in a trilogy fight against Dustin Poirier.
Although McGregor’s return has not been officially confirmed by the UFC, Cormier believes that if the fight eventually happens, it will be a significant opportunity for Chandler, potentially resulting in the highest payday of his fighting career.
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