PERTH, Australia – UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev doesn’t see big implications from Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler.
McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) will coach “The Ultimate Fighter 31” opposite side Chandler (23-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC) and the pair are expected to throw down after the show airs. It debuts May 30 on ESPN and ESPN+, with the conclusion of the season set for Aug. 15 after weekly episodes airing Tuesdays.
Makhachev (23-1 MMA, 12-1 UFC) isn’t sure who’s next if he gets past featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovski (25-1 MMA, 12-0 UFC) in Saturday’s UFC 284 headliner, but finds it hard to view McGregor vs. Chandler as a No. 1 contender fight.