Michael Chandler, the UFC's ranked lightweight, revealed when he could fight the promotion's current featherweight champion Islam Makhachev.
"Islam isn't just fighting for himself, he's fighting for a whole country. He's fighting for Khabib's legacy, he's fighting for Khabib's father's legacy - his motivation is much deeper than that. I think he will defend the title against Porier, he will defend the title against Tsarukyan, and we will fight him in the first quarter of next year," the fighter said in an interview with Ariel Helwani.
Islam Makhachev will have his next fight on June 1 against Dustin Porier. As for Chandler, he will face former two-weight UFC champion Conor McGregor on June 29.
Former UFC interim lightweight champion Dustin Porier shared his prediction for the upcoming bout between former two-division titleholder Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler.
"If Conor is going to be who he was before the injury and stuff, two rounds will be enough for him. I think this fight will be over before the end of the second round," Puryear said on the air of the show The MMA Hour.
Recall that the fight between McGregor and Chandler will be the main event of the UFC 303 tournament, which will take place on June 29 in Las Vegas.
As for Puryear, he will try to take the belt from current lightweight division leader Islam Makhachev on June 1 at UFC 302 in Newark.
Retired British mixed martial arts veteran Dan Hardy explained why he has little faith in UFC lightweight Michael Chandler winning his upcoming bout with the promotion's former two-division champion Conor McGregor.
"I can't underestimate Conor's skills. He has done exceptional things in the most intense moments of his career. He knows how to control distance and provoke his opponents with deceptive strikes. And the current Chandler is not the same as he was in Bellator, when he acted carefully and clearly chose the moment to attack.
Michael can beat anyone with his speed, but he's a lot less cautious now. And that's all McGregor needs. Chandler is out for the money, he wants to put on a show. He's not thinking about exactly how he wants to beat Conor, he's just going to come out chopping," Hardy said on The MMA Hour show.
Recall that McGregor and Chandler will fight in the main event of UFC 303, which is scheduled for June 29 in Las Vegas, USA. The fight will take place in the welterweight limit.
Former UFC two-weight champion Conor McGregor has responded to the challenge posed to him by former lightweight division titleholder Charles Oliveira.
Conor McGregor, former UFC champion in two weight classes, reacted to the news that Charles Oliveira, the promotion's former lightweight champion, is ready to insure the Irishman's bout with Michael Chandler. Conor has stated that he is ready to beat Charles and Michael two in one night.
"I'll do you both in one night. I won't even break a sweat. I will destroy you both within a round," McGregor wrote on social media.
The bout between Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler will take place on June 29 and will headline UFC 303.
Recall that McGregor had his last fight in July 2021, losing early to Dustin Puryear. Conor broke his leg and for a long time recovered from the injury.