Islam Makhachev has claimed Michael Chandler deliberately lost his last UFC fight to earn a shot at Conor McGregor.
McGregor has not fought since July 2021 after breaking his leg in a trilogy clash with Dustin Poirier, but has since announced he will make his long-awaited return against Chandler this year. A date is yet to be confirmed for the pair to meet in the octagon, but they are already going head-to-head as part of the UFC's latest series of The Ultimate Fighter.
Chandler has had a mixed run of form going into the upcoming meeting, having brutally knocked out Tony Ferguson before being stopped by McGregor's most recent rival Poirier. And current 155lb champion Makhachev has suggested McGregor chose Chandler on the back of his recent losses as his title ambitions appeared to go up in smoke.
“Conor chose Chandler. Chandler lost on purpose because if he beat a couple of guys it was never going to happen, versus McGregor,” Makhachev said. “Of course [he lost on purpose]. He fights like crazy, like he comes from the streets. That’s why they make the fight.”
It was expected McGregor would face a tune-up opponent after a lengthy absence from the cage which has include significant rehabilitation from his injury. The Irishman has piled on the pounds and is looking in superb shape which has seen chances increase that he will opt to return in a clash with Chandler at 170lb.
McGregor's form has also been particularly poor in recent years which has seen him lose three of his last four fights including against bitter rival Khabib Nurmagomedov. The 34-year-old will be hoping that he can bounce back with a win over Chandler which could see a final title charge of his own depending on his weight class.
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Chandler will be hoping to also turn around his form as he could return to 155lb to challenge Makhachev himself if he is able to cause an upset on McGregor's comeback. And the American believes that this fight is his chance to show that he can produce another violent display and entertain the fans.
"I can tell you this, it's definitely not going to happen," Chandler said. "I can tell you this, I see it going a lot, a much different way. I think I've seen enough of Conor over the last couple of week to know that I am going to not just slice through, but bludgeon him with both of these hands.
"And I will do whatever I want, both standing or on the ground and finishing by the second round. That's my Mystic Mac prediction and I stand behind it. The good thing is we are set to settle it all under 4oz gloves under a certain ruleset in a contest later this year and I just cannot wait to get in there and do it."
