Michael Chandler was scheduled to face Conor McGregor June 29th on international fight week. However, the notorious one broke his pinkie toe so pulled out of the fight. Since then the return of McGregor has been a point of much discussion. Questions have also arisen in terms of how much longer is Chandler waiting or if McGregor will have a different opponent.
Chandler’s Optimism
In a recent interview Michael Chandler revealed his current thoughts on the McGregor situation. Chandler said, “I am an optimist by default, so I do believe the Conor fight will happen. Right now, we are in a period where things are being talked about. What date, is it Conor, is it pivoting to a different fight? Is it making the best decision for me and my family? I love the idea that Conor and I did The Ultimate Fighter, we had a training camp, we signed on the dotted line. But as much as I respect Conor, my legacy is not hinged upon this fight.”
So, Chandler as always thinks the fight will happen. At this point he kind of needs to think that sacrificing years of his career waiting for McGregor. But he’s willing to move on.
He continued saying, “I am running my own race, and I’m continuing to move forward. I am at the point now where we are looking at all of the options and not just fighting [Conor McGregor]. Things move fast, and the phone could ring at any time. I don’t want to make it sound like I’m not focused on fighting Conor, but right now when no contract is signed, I’m excited to fight. I’m training every day, and I’m in the best shape that I have been in a very long time, and I’m ready to go out there whether it’s Conor or someone else. There’s always going to be life after Conor if this fight never comes to fruition.” Again Chandler is willing to fight whoever.
Ready to Move On
Chandler said, “he sentiment from Dana doesn’t sound as bleak as a lot of people would think. It doesn’t sound as bleak as a lot of people would think, given Conor’s antics with the “Stone Cold” Steve Austin vest and the drinking Forged Irish Stout at Bare Knuckle FC, but we’ll see. Either way, I’ve always felt that if the Conor fight didn’t happen I’m going to be just fine, and I will put butts in seats, and I will sell pay-per-views, and I will entertain the entire world when I step inside the octagon.” Chandler again makes it clear he is fine with not fighting McGregor.
He finished off saying, ” I don’t really ever put dates on how long I’ll wait, but the sport of mixed martial arts moves very, very fast. I’ve got a whiteboard up here in my house with all the matchups and all the different things going on in the lightweight division. The lightweight division is the most exciting, electrifying division in the sport of mixed martial arts, so I am blessed to be a part of it.” So, Chandler isn’t telling on how much longer he’ll wait.
At this point he may as well keep waiting. Chandler doesn’t really have shot at becoming champion so he may as well maximise his money. And the McGregor fight is still the best way to do that. Granted he may have been able to make more money if he fought instead of waiting. But, Michael Chandler has made his bed and is sleeping in it. We’ll see if Chandler finally gets the McGregor fight or if he has to move on.
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images