Michael Chandler has said he has yet to sign a contract for a UFC bout with Conor McGregor, after the latter claimed the pair would fight on June 29.
In a video posted on social media on New Year's Eve, McGregor said he would face Chandler at 185 pounds, at International Fight Week in Las Vegas. The competition was initially announced for February 2023, although no date or weight class had been set at that time.
Eleven months later, McGregor debunked rumors that he would fight Chandler at UFC 300 in April, taking to social media on June 29, and Chandler has now responded.
The 37-year-old American said: espn On Friday (Jan. 5): “Obviously the UFC does it the way they do it. We all know that it's not officially 100 percent confirmed until we actually walk into the appraiser, but before that: [It’s only official] When the UFC comes out with it. My team has been in contact with the UFC, and June 29 is what I'm preparing for.
“I'll be leaving my family here for the next couple of weeks to head to Florida to join combat camp — combat camp that's been looming now for a year. I'll be spending a week or so in January, a week or so in February, a week or so in March, and then all of April And May and June, I'm there in Florida.
“I have 100% confidence that I'm going to fight Conor McGregor on June 29th. On June 29th, we're going to rip this guy's head off. With that being said, it's a crazy sport. Injuries and illnesses happen. The fight doesn't actually happen until we're both in the cage. One thing I will give it [McGregor] Credit: Going back to his entire career, when he said he was going to get into a fight, has he ever walked out of a fight? He was always another person to be pulled out of the fight.
“You did a very good job… I'm not going to call up Dana [White, UFC president] Or Hunter [Campbell, UFC chief business officer] Every week I'm like, “Hey, is there any update?” They know that I will still be prepared and do my job, and that I will also be focused on not just the fight; Fortunately for them, I don't have to demand a salary every quarter, because I do things outside of cage fighting for a living. “I've had a very productive year.”
McGregor posted a video clip on social media on January 31, in which he announced the date of his fight with Chandler
(@TheNotoriousMMA)
Before posting the New Year's Eve video, McGregor teased that he would reveal his return opponent and when he will return on New Year's Day, after suggesting in recent months that he could face someone other than Chandler.
When Chandler was asked if he knew what the Irishman was going to say in his video, he said: “I had an idea, but you never know. Will it be another midget job? Will it be another 'Connor as the center of attention' deal? Will it be silence? What?” Is the tactic he'll use again to keep everyone on the edge of their seats, not just me?
“He's done a lot of things over the last year or so that me and my team were supposed to hear firsthand, that everyone ran with. I have a way of doing things. Obviously being silent is one of those things, and not letting things bother me is one of them.”
Chandler was also asked about McGregor's claim that the bout would take place at middleweight. McGregor, 35, is a former UFC lightweight and featherweight champion, who has also fought at welterweight, while Chandler is a former three-time Bellator lightweight champion.
McGregor faces Michael Chandler in March 2023
(@TheNotoriousMMA via Twitter)
“Ultimately, I'm 50/50 on this,” Chandler said. “It doesn't matter. I don't care if he wants to fight at 185 pounds, or 170, or 205 — whatever it is. You have to remember that he doesn't want to fight when he's 155 because he wants everyone to think he's older than he is. In his mind, He can't fight at 170 because I called him up at 170 – so I'm not doing what I'm told, he's doing what I said.
“So, he had to say 185. I'm able to fluctuate my weight, and I don't need to bulk up to get to 185; it would be easy and fun to make.”
International Fight Week is expected to lead up to UFC 302 or 303 on June 29, UFC 300 is scheduled for April 13 and no further pay-per-view events have been announced.
Chandler last fought in November 2022, losing to Dustin Poirier via submission. McGregor last fought in July 2021, where he suffered a broken leg in his second consecutive loss to Poirier. Six months ago, Poirier knocked out McGregor to avenge his 2014 defeat at the hands of the Irishman.
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