Video: Michael Chandler Talks Conor McGregor, What Fans Can Expect in UFC 303 Fight | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors
Ahead of his highly anticipated fight against Conor McGregor at UFC 303 on June 29, Michael Chandler discussed the upcoming bout.
Chandler explained his reasoning behind fighting McGregor during a Friday appearance on The Pivot Podcast (8:38 mark).
"You want the biggest games, you want the biggest opponents, you want the brightest lights," Chandler said. "It's obviously the financial incentive, I want to create a life for my family so that's part of it. But, when I got into the sport when I was 22 years old, I wanted to become the number one guy in the world and have the biggest fights that you could possibly have."
"Conor McGregor checks that box of the biggest platform, the brightest lights, the biggest name," he added.
While McGregor hasn't fought since he suffered two consecutive losses to Dustin Poirier in 2021, he's still a former two-division champion and his return will draw plenty of attention. UFC CEO Dana White revealed that UFC 303, headlined by McGregor-Chandler, will be the first UFC event to have a live gate of over $20 million.
Chandler also believes that the fighting styles between the two will be on full display during the bout, calling himself "one of the most electrifying guys who ever steps inside the Octagon."
"It's not because I win every fight, it's not because I'm not the most technical, but you will not see more heart on display inside of an Octagon anywhere else in the entire world unless Michael Chandler is in there," he said (58:12 mark). "On the other side of the Octagon, you have Conor McGregor coming back. He's calling it the greatest comeback in contact sports history."
There has been some uncertainty regarding the status of the fight, but Ariel Helwani of The MMA Hour said that there is "positivity" and "optimism" regarding the bout on Wednesday.
MMA Fighting @MMAFightingAriel Helwani says there is "great positivity, great optimism" regarding the <a href="">#UFC303</a> main event.<br><br>"Is Conor McGregor going to fight Michael Chandler on June 29? My answer is yes. As of right now. Do I know what happens tomorrow? No."<br><br>▶️ <a href=""> <a href="">#TheMMAHour</a> <a href="">
During his interview on Friday, Chandler predicted an intense start to the fight.
"He is historically always a very exciting, explosive guy right out of the gate," he said (58:59 mark). "I promise you I will be explosive and run towards the center of that Octagon on June 29 right when the fight starts. You're going to see two guys who are going to get into a head-on collision car crash in the middle of T-Mobile Arena on June 29."
Chandler already appears confident in his ability to spoil McGregor's return during their upcoming clash at UFC 303.
