Based on Michael Chandler’s fighting style, Urijah Faber sees Conor McGregor prevailing against him.
McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) and Chandler (23-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC) are expected to fight after coaching Season 31 of “The Ultimate Fighter,” which debuts May 30 on ESPN and ESPN+. Episodes will air Tuesdays with a season finale set for Aug. 15.
Coming from a wrestling background himself, Faber says Chandler’s mat skills should play a factor. But when he plays the fight out in his head, Faber sees McGregor having success on the feet.
“Traditionally in the past – you know, old-school MMA – I would have said the high-level wrestler’s always going to win,” Faber told ESPN. “But Conor, I feel, has closed those gaps a lot. I think Chandler takes a lot of big risks and likes to fight wild and aggressive, and I’ve seen many times where Conor’s power is just too much and his precision’s too much, and I think it’s going to be, in a five-round fight, leaning toward McGregor.”
Faber has first-hand experience of what it’s like to be around McGregor for eight weeks. He coached against him on Season 22 of “The Ultimate Fighter.” Although the pair wasn’t booked to fight after the filming of the show, Faber did a good job of not allowing McGregor to get under his skin.
“Chandler and I are pretty different guys, and they’re going to have a much different relationship than Conor and I,” Faber said. “I would just say the same advice I’d give anybody: Be yourself and stand your ground and things will play out the way they do.
“I think they’re going to be heated. They are actually fighting and they’re going to have a lot of build up. When I spoke to Conor about this situation, he said this season is different because he was coming off of his first big payday and his first world championship (on Season 22). This time, he’s focused on making this his camp, so I think he’s going to be a little more on edge, to be honest.”
