Michael Chandler has been warned against putting his brain cells on the line in his fight against UFC star Conor McGregor.
McGregor has announced he will make a long-awaited comeback against Chandler this year after breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier in July 2021. The fight will come as part of the UFC's latest series of The Ultimate Fighter and Chandler will be looking to bounce back from his own defeat to Poirier late last year.
A fight between Chandler and McGregor will likely be thrilling for fans given the American's all-action approach, which has seen him involved in some brutal fights including against Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje. However UFC champion Aljamain Sterling has warned the 36-year-old to tailor his aggression as he believes he has the skills to become a title-holder and progress beyond McGregor.
“I think Chandler has all the tools in the world to become a UFC Champion,” Sterling said on his YouTube channel when assessing the upcoming showdown. “But he has to put together his fight IQ and figure out does he want to be the entertainer or does he want to win? Make even more money by becoming the champion and get in those pay-per-view points.
"And again, I don’t know if he has a special contract where he is getting pay-per-view points, he might already get that, that’s probably why he doesn’t care. But, if he doesn’t, go out there and get the belt, because at the end of the day, that’s a legacy that they can never take away from you.
“How many more fights can you do, keep putting your brain cells on the line? Let’s call it what it is, you’re putting your brain cells on the line." Chandler will certainly be a live contender and could pose a real threat to McGregor who will be looking to revive his UFC career.
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The Irishman has lost three of his last four fights but will be hoping he can turn around his form upon making a comeback after piling on weight. Chandler suggested the fight will now be at 170lb as a result of McGregor's new bulky physique, but an official date has yet to be announced for their duel.
Despite a plea to change his style, Chandler believes his aggressive skillset is what has helped him secure the fight in the first place. “Conor and I both start extremely fast,” Chandler told ESPN. “That cage door closes, Bruce Buffer announces us, that bell dings and we both try to meet in the centre of the octagon trying to make the other guy take a backwards step first.
"I’m going to get in his face, make him take a backwards step right away. He’s going to feel my presence from the very beginning of the fight and then from there wherever the fight takes us. If he lands one on the button, it’s going to be a rough night for me."
