Michael Chandler describes his mindset for facing Conor McGregor's mind games

Michael Chandler has stated that he will enter his bout against Conor McGregor "with no fear" during a recent interview with Brett Okamoto of ESPN MMA.

UFC president Dana White announced yesterday that 'Iron' and McGregor will be the coaches for the upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF), which is expected to begin in May. The coaches will fight at the end of the season.

Chandler appeared excited by the prospect of facing McGregor in the octagon, as well as on the reality TV show. He told ESPN MMA:

"I think Conor tailors himself and willingness to engage in those verbal altercations based upon his opponent. So I could bring the worst out of him that we have ever seen, or the buttoned-up businessman Conor. One day you could get one [version] and the next day the next [version]... I fear no man, I don't fear Conor McGregor, I don't fear the verbal altercations... I'm just excited about it."

Watch the interview below from 13:00:

Conor McGregor suffered a brutal leg injury against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021 and has been recovering ever since. 'Notorious' will make his long-awaited return against Michael Chandler following the conclusion of TUF, but the date for the fight is yet to be confirmed.

'Notorious' has been exempt from USADA drug testing since his injury in 2021 and will need to re-enter the pool for six months prior to him being allowed to compete.

Check out combat sports journalist Marc Raimondi's tweet below (via Sportskeeda MMA Twitter):

Sportskeeda MMA

@sportskeedaMMA

Conor McGregor needs to be in the USADA testing pool for six months and pass at least two drug tests to compete again in the UFC

#UFC #MMA | @ufc

1

Conor McGregor needs to be in the USADA testing pool for six months and pass at least two drug tests to compete again in the UFC 💉😳

#UFC #MMA | @ufc https://t.co/9vZeroPfLy

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Dustin Poirier roasts Michael Chandler and Conor McGregor on Twitter

Dustin Poirier took to Twitter following Dana White's announcement that Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler will be the coaches for the upcoming season of TUF.

Poirier defeated Chandler via submission at UFC 281 in November 2022, and has defeated McGregor twice as well.

'The Diamond' has never been an outrageous trash-talker online or in person but is known to poke fun at fighters occasionally. Poirier was asked by @UFCtheKING to share his thoughts about the recently announced TUF coaches, and he said:

"TUF all my children edition"

See the tweet below:

The Diamond

@DustinPoirier

TUF all my children edition twitter.com/UFCtheKING/sta…

👑

@UFCtheKING

@DustinPoirier thoughts on the new TUF coaches?

38182

3973

@DustinPoirier thoughts on the new TUF coaches? https://t.co/sa9Szlhr6e

TUF all my children edition twitter.com/UFCtheKING/sta…

Dustin Poirier has had beef with both Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler in the past.

'The Diamond' first fought McGregor at featherweight in 2014 at UFC 178, where the Irishman KO'd him inside one round. The pair went from foes to friends and back to foes during the course of their trilogy, with their last fight ending in nasty fashion.

Meanwhile, Poirier and Chandler had a heated altercation while attending UFC 276 last year, and the pair have continued to exchange words even after their fight in November.

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