Former two-division champion Conor McGregor is set to take on Michael Chandler in a middleweight bout this summer. McGregor has been confirmed to return to the UFC at the UFC 302 event on June 29th, where he is considered a slight favorite to defeat Chandler.
McGregor, a former undisputed lightweight and featherweight champion, last appeared in the main event at UFC 264 in July 2021, where he suffered a TKO loss via doctor stoppage to Dustin Poirier. He has been out of action since breaking his left leg.
Chandler, a former three-time Bellator MMA lightweight champion, suffered a defeat to Poirier via rear-naked choke at Madison Square Garden in November 2022 and has not returned to the octagon since then.
McGregor is currently favored at -120 to defeat Chandler, who has opened as a +100 underdog. This makes McGregor a slight betting favorite for the upcoming fight.
Conor McGregor opens as favorite to beat Michael Chandler
Several markets and bookmakers are already offering odds for McGregor’s return fight with Chandler, with some outlets expecting significant engagement from fans.
If McGregor wins, he would become the first fighter to achieve victories in four weight classes, given his previous wins across different weight divisions.
In his most recent victory, McGregor secured a knockout win over Donald Cerrone in just 40 seconds at the welterweight limit.
Chandler, on the other hand, delivered a memorable two-round front kick KO victory over Tony Ferguson at UFC 274 in May 2022. He has been eyeing a return to the lightweight title scene.
Although the official announcement for the McGregor-Chandler matchup at UFC 302 has not been confirmed, McGregor has stated his intention to return during International Fight Week in June.
In a video posted on social media, McGregor announced, “The return of the ‘Notorious’ Conor McGregor, the biggest comeback of all time, will take place in Las Vegas during International Fight Week on June 29th.”
McGregor continued by addressing Chandler directly, stating, “Come a little closer, opponent. Michael Chandler. And I weigh 185 pounds, Mr. Chandler.” [laughing]
While Chandler is enthusiastic about the opportunity to fight McGregor at the middleweight limit, some critics, including Daniel Cormier, have expressed reservations about McGregor’s approach to the fight.
Cormier remarked, “I think Conor McGregor is the puppeteer and I think Michael Chandler is too easy to play with. Michael Chander is Pinocchio. Conor McGregor is doing that (pulling strings) thing with Michael Chandler.”
Who do you think will win the middleweight showdown between Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler this summer?
