If Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler clash in 2022, it will be great for the UFC
After having a fight of the year candidate with Justin Gaethje at UFC 268, Michael Chandler looks to have his eyes on another big fight. Monday morning, Chandler tweeted out a photoshopped photo of himself and Conor McGregor facing off with the caption of “2022”
McGregor actually responded to the picture.
“I’m down at some stage for sure. Great fight the other night Mike, congrats!”
To which Chandler responded, “Thank you sir. It would be my pleasure. See you soon.”
A fight between Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler could offer endless drama
Any fight including McGregor is going to have some exciting build-up and fantastic media packages. McGregor is the biggest name in combat sports and when he speaks, the world listens. It may not have the intensity and toxicity of the Khabi Nurmagomedov or second Dustin Poirier fight, but even a calm McGregor will give fans and pundits plenty to talk about.
Where Chandler may be a less exciting name and less likely to put out a soundbite, there are still plenty of stories to tell with him walking into the Octagon. The most obvious of those stories revolve around how both men have spent their careers, especially the last few years of it.
McGregor helped make the UFC what it is today while Chandler was instrumental in building up Bellator. Then McGregor left the UFC and went to box Floyd Mayweather. Sure, he returned to the UFC, but a shell of what he once was, getting finished in three of his last four fights.
Meanwhile, Chandler realized he has conquered his mountain in Bellator and came to the UFC looking to prove that he was the best lightweight in the world. He got chosen for the bout with Charles Olivera for the vacant lightweight title and came mere seconds away from becoming champion. Despite getting knocked out in that fight, he still got a shot to become the No. 1 contender against Gaethje. Despite being older than McGregor and holding the same record, Chandler looks like a legitimate championship contender, while McGregor barely looks rankable.
In the Octagon, are these two evenly matched? No.
On the surface, Chandler should roll McGregor without even breaking a sweat. McGregor may be able to outspeed Chandler early, but it would be in McGregor’s best interest to not run up on the man who went three-round eating strikes from Gaethje.
However, this matchup remains important and a potential highlight for next year based almost exclusively on the attention it will bring the UFC and the build to the fight.