Conor McGregor's coach predicts Michael Chandler fight outcome, puts faith on "underestimated" abilities
Conor McGregor's coach recently gave his prediction about his fight against Michael Chandler.
Following UFC 300, UFC CEO Dana White announced that McGregor will make his long-awaited return to the octagon at the promotion's annual International Fight Week event, capped off by UFC 303, which is set for June 29 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The Irishman's fight against Chandler will be a five-round 170-pound bout.
In a recent interview with SevereMMA, SBG Ireland head coach John Kavanagh, who has been with McGregor since the beginning of his professional career, offered his prediction for the upcoming bout against Chandler despite the 35-year-old's extended absence from the sport. He said:
''I've said this from the start, I see similarities to the Mendes fight. I'd be surprised if it can go two rounds, I'd be surprised. He's just hits too hard, too sharp. Is there going to be scrappiness and a few takedowns and stuff? maybe but every round's starts on the feet and his ability to get back there is underestimated. So I'd be surprised if we see two rounds.''
Check out John Kavanagh's comments below:
Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler were the opposite coaches in season 31 of The Ultimate Fighter, and were anticipated to face before the end of 2023. But several factors, including McGregor's issues with USADA, forced the fight to be postponed.
In his last octagon outing at UFC 264, Conor McGregor lost to Dustin Poirier via TKO in the opening round. Chandler, on the other hand, is also coming off a loss against Poirier at UFC 281, where he was submitted in the third round.
Michael Chandler claims defeating Conor McGregor would be the pinnacle of his professional MMA career
Michael Chandler discussed his upcoming fight against Conor McGregor, which he has been looking forward to since competing at 'The Ultimate Fighter' as a coach.
'Iron' has not held back when he has predicted that the former two-division UFC champion will be defeated by a decisive finish in their forthcoming welterweight bout. During his appearance on The Shawn Ryan Show, Chandler stated that a victory over McGregor would be the greatest moment of his career and that he wanted to make a statement. He said:
"I will absolutely break this man and the whole world is going to get to see it. It's going to be the best moment of my professional life. I am the better fighter, I am the tougher fighter, and I'm the guy who deserves it more...I believe we suck the oxygen out of the octagon, he looks for the exit sign somewhere in the second round, and I usher him toward the door."
Check out Michael Chandler's comments below: