Michael Chandler has called for Conor McGregor to accept his challenge and set up the biggest fight in MMA.
McGregor has been out of action for around a year since breaking his leg in a second consecutive defeat to Dustin Poirier last July. He has recently made a return to full MMA training alongside coach John Kavanagh in Ireland as he continues to step up his plans to make a comeback to the octagon.
Several options are understood to be on the table including fights with the likes of Jorge Masvidal and 170lb champion Kamaru Usman as he eyes a switch to the new weight class. McGregor has also been linked with a host of potential rivals at 155lb including Charles Oliveira and Chandler.
Now Oliveira is matched up with Islam Makhachev in a vacant title clash later this year, Chandler is hoping that he will be in pole position for a lucrative meeting against McGregor. “I think it does," Chandler responded during an interview with TMZ Sports when asked if Oliveira's fight gives him higher chance of facing the Irishman next. "Obviously I think the biggest thing for Conor is timeline.
“The guy snapped his leg. It wasn’t a small injury. It required surgery, maybe multiple surgery, a titanium rod going in and all that stuff. As you’ve seen my pursuit of the Conor McGregor fight, the Chandler vs. Conor fight, in my pursuit I’m not going to be throwing stones at the guy.
"The guy completely shattered his leg and it was literally just a year ago. Have people come back quicker than he’s going to come back? Yes, probably, but we don’t know the extent of Conor’s injury. I do think it opens the door if Conor’s coming back any time soon. I’m not booked right now.
Would you like to see Michael Chandler v Conor McGregor? Let us know in the comments section below
"If Conor’s coming back anytime soon I think me and Conor would make some fireworks and I think it’s the fight fans want to see. I think it’s the biggest fight that we can make in mixed martial arts right now and I try to say that as humbly as possible, but I think it’s a huge fight.”
Despite Chandler's confidence of securing a bout, McGregor's comeback is expected to be delayed until next year despite his original plan to try and return to action before the end of 2022. However he has offered fresh hopes of an earlier plan after finally kicking with his previously broken leg and returning to sparring and grappling.
Chandler could be forced to wait until January to face McGregor with the Irishman yet to assess his potential opponent despite a number of call-outs. However it is expected that the Irishman will prioritise other challenges at 170lb after posing with a new ripped physique following his recovery.
