Conor McGregor will inevitably get a title shot if he takes out Michael Chandler, believes Alexander Volkanovski
Conor McGregor is set to face Michael Chandler in his highly anticipated return to the octagon after the pair coach opposing teams on season 31 of The Ultimate Fighter. Alexander Volkanovski believes that the former double champ will receive a title opportunity if he is able to emerge victorious.
McGREGOR vs CHANDLER IS CONFIRMED!!
@TheNotoriousMMA and @MikeChandlerMMA will officially coach the next season of #TUF31! https://t.co/effjf0Rg2M
Speaking to the media for UFC 284, the featherweight champion stated:
"It’s always good to have Conor coming back to the sport. He brings a lot of eyes here and that will be a fun fight as well. I think it’s clever for both of them. Clever for Conor because he can go and fight. They’re both powerful dudes, obviously. It’s a winnable fight because they’re just going to go for it so it’s going to be entertaining, but that just puts Conor right back in the conversation for the belt."
Alexander Volkanovski added:
"For people to say he wouldn’t deserve it and there’s no way they're going to do that, you’re pretty crazy, right? It’s Conor McGregor, and if he takes out someone like Chandler, you know his name is going to be mentioned. You know people are going to be talking about him so it's interesting. It's good to look at because I plan on taking that lightweight belt."
Although McGregor has won just one fight since 2016, his star power could certainly put him in the title mix if he is able to defeat Michael Chandler. Both the UFC and whoever is holding the belt will stand to tremendously benefit financially if the former double champ receives a title opportunity.
Watch Alexander Volkanovski's comments on Conor McGregor below (starting at the 4:38 mark):
Michael Bisping believes it is a "given" that Conor McGregor will fight for the title with a victory over Michael Chandler
Despite being unranked and having just one win since 2016, Conor McGregor always seems like he is just one win away from a title opportunity. Speaking on his YouTube channel, UFC Hall of Famer Michael Bisping speculated that the former double champ will receive a title opportunity if he is able to defeat Michael Chandler:
"If McGregor gets it done, will we see him fight for the title next? That is a given. That is 100 percent. Just prepare yourself mentally for that. Regardless of whatever you think, he’s the biggest star in the sport. He’s a former two-weight division champion, and he’s a person that people want to see fight."
While many may deem McGregor undeserving of a title shot, his massive star power provides him with opportunities that are not available to other fighters. Bisping did speculate, however, that if 'The Notorious' is unable to defeat Chandler, he may walk away from mixed martial arts altogether.
Watch Michael Bisping's comments on Conor McGregor below (starting at the 7:43 mark):