Michael Chandler remains unwavering in his confidence that Conor McGregor will ultimately step into the Octagon to face him.
Despite the legal troubles surrounding McGregor, including a recent allegation of sexual assault during a heated NBA Finals game in Miami, Chandler firmly believes that the renowned MMA fighter still desires the bout.
During an appearance on Daniel Cormier's YouTube channel, Chandler voiced his conviction that McGregor would not forsake their shared journey and jeopardize his own legacy.
“I think Conor’s coming back. I don’t think he wants to stain his legacy by leading us all down this road of, ‘I’m doing the Ultimate Fighter, I’m fighting Michael Chandler – Oh, by the way, never mind. I’m not coming back,” says Chandler
Before McGregor can make his return to the Octagon, there is an additional requirement he must fulfill: reentry into the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) drug testing pool.
In accordance with the regulations, McGregor is obliged to undergo a mandatory six-month testing period, unless the UFC grants an exception.
Ongoing discussions are taking place to resolve this matter, and Chandler maintains a positive outlook, believing that an agreement will be reached in the near future. This would pave the way for an extraordinary showdown between the two fighters.
“Supposedly there was a countdown with USADA, six months, and all that other stuff. That’s not for me to choose or decide. Have there been exemptions before? People are talking about exemptions. Of course, that’s all on the table.
“All I know is I’m controlling the controllables, and either way, I’m gonna keep on moving forward, and I do believe I fight Conor within the next six months, and it’s going to be one of the biggest pay-per-views that we have ever seen, and I’m gonna go out there and knock him out within the first two rounds,”
With the stage set for a sensational clash between two of the most dynamic fighters in the sport, fans across America are eagerly awaiting this monumental showdown. So will it happen?