Conor McGregor has been backed to beat Michael Chandler by top UFC welterweight contender Colby Covington, with the former interim champion claiming Chandler is "washed up".
McGregor and Chandler have yet to schedule a date for their showdown, which will be the Irishman's first fight in over two years when it does take place. But they have recently filmed The Ultimate Fighter in Las Vegas, and are now awaiting news of USADA drug testing protocols before their fight can be confirmed.
Many pundits and fans are picking Chandler due to his activity in recent years, while the former champion has been erratic in his behaviour during his time off. But Covington, who is expected to face welterweight champion Leon Edwards later this year, believes that Chandler's best years are behind him and that McGregor will be able to land a stoppage.
"I do think he beats Chandler," Covington told Sportskeeda. "I think Chandler's a little washed up now you know, I mean he didn't even do anything in that other B-level organisation [Bellator]. He was getting beat by scrub guys, scrubs that I trained with. I just think Chandler's washed up and it's a good fight for Conor. Conor's going to go out there and Spark him. I feel McGregor gets it."
Chandler has gone 2-3 in the UFC since leaving Bellator, where he had been lightweight champion. He has been put down by all but one of his opponents; Dan Hooker, who he knocked out within the opening seconds, and with McGregor having bulked up considerably in the past two years, his power could be an issue.
The former two-weight world champion expects the fight to take place at welterweight, despite the pair both being contenders at lightweight. His new frame would make it difficult to get down to 155lb in time for the bout, and Chandler believes that he is also going to struggle to get down after bulking up in his own right.
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Despite their recent runs of form, the winner would undoubtedly become a title contender at either lightweight or welterweight. And if Covington can defeat Edwards for the belt, he is keen for a fight of his own against McGregor, which he feels could be the biggest event in promotional history.
"Conor's done some great things in this sport," Covington told media in London last month. "He's a great fighter but his time is passing. He's made a lot of money so he just doesn't have that same hunger. Who knows if he's coming back anytime soon?
"He still has to get the USADA pool. If Conor wants to fight one day, it's probably the biggest event the UFC would ever do, as you see with the numbers I've drawn to this event. If they want to sit down and they think that's the biggest and best fight they can do, let's do it."
