Almost every pundit in MMA is picking Michael Chandler to beat Conor McGregor when the pair fight at UFC 303 next month.
But one former welterweight title contender isn’t so sure after watching the American sit on the sidelines for two years in the hopes of landing his biggest career payday. Chandler last competed in a losing effort to Dustin Poirier in November of 2022, and has since been idle as he awaits McGregor’s return.
Luckily, that tactic has worked out and he will face the Irishman on June 29 as the headliner of International Fight Week. But while many believe he is a big favourite, one top analyst isn’t so sure about Chandler’s top level credentials.
Dan Hardy backs Conor McGregor to beat Michael Chandler in grudge fight
Former UFC welterweight title challenger Dan Hardy is one of the most respected minds in MMA today after switching from the cage to a role as analyst. And he appears to be one of the few backing McGregor to roll back the years and last his first victory since January of 2020.
Speaking on The MMA Hour, Hardly explained how he feels Chandler is too reckless for an athlete with the fight IQ of McGregor. He also noted that the reasons the former Bellator champion is doing the fight may not be right when it comes to preparation.
“Michael Chandler is not the guy that he was in Bellator,” Hardy said. “He was cautious and he was picking his shots.
“If he plays the game that he did against, say, Sidney Outlaw where he was poised and ready and waiting to land that clean shot then that Chandler can beat anybody with that speed off the mark and that power.
“But he has become a lot more reckless recently and that just plays into Conor McGregor’s game. McGregor made Jose Aldo reckless and then punished him for it.
“Chandler comes in reckless, he’s coming in for a payday and a show. He’s not thinking ‘right, I’m going to beat Conor McGregor and I’m going to do it this particular way’. He’s coming to fight.”
Michael Chandler omitted from first official UFC 303 promo for Conor McGregor fight
Excitement continues to build for the big fight between Chandler and McGregor, with the UFC finally releasing their first teaser for the event during Saturday’s UFC 301 broadcast. The preview garnered millions of views online, although many fans noticed one key detail.
The preview video shows McGregor’s silhouette pacing around a room lit up in green. In the background, his infamous walkout song The Foggy Dew by Sinead O’Connor plays.
But fans on social media were in hysterics when they notice that at no point does Chandler feature in this important advertisement.
The top two comments on the UFC’s YouTube upload garnered over 6,000 likes between them and read “They didn’t even put Michael Chandler in the trailer” and “Dawg they said we dont even need Michael whats his name for the promo.”
Chandler has been relentless in his pursuit of the fight, and made regular promotional appearances since the bout was announced in February of last year. He even coached against McGregor on The Ultimate Fighter last season.
But the Irishman did briefly eye up some other fights, calling out the likes of Nate Diaz and Justin Gaethje throughout the last few years. However, it was announced following UFC 300 that McGregor vs Chandler was official for June 29.