Conor McGregor gives one-emoji reaction to Michael Chandler's "Mystic Mike" prediction of their fight

Conor McGregor is finally set to return to the octagon opposite Michael Chandler, although the timeline for the matchup is yet to be announced. Dana White recently confirmed that 'The Notorious' and 'Iron' will feature as rival coaches on the upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter.

Weighing in on his booking against McGregor, Chandler gave a bold "Mystic Mike" prediction: a second-round finish. The former Bellator champion plans to put pressure on his opponent from the opening bell and wear him down to create an opening for a fight-ending shot in the second frame.

Chandler recently told ESPN MMA:

"I believe I finish Conor in the second round. That’s my ‘Mystic Mike’ take on this, later on this year whenever it is.”

Conor McGregor hilariously replied to Chandler's comments with a single laughing emoticon.

Chandler also added that his preferred knockout blow would be an overhand right or a left hook:

“I always visualize a big overhand right or a left hook. That’s the shot that I really want to land every single time, and that’s the shot I’ve seen put guys down so many times in my career, put guys down in training, put guys down a million times in my mind."

Catch Michael Chandler's interview with ESPN MMA below:

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Michael Chandler hopes Conor McGregor doesn't cross certain boundaries with his trash talk

Conor McGregor is undebateably one of the greatest trash talkers in the history of combat sports. The Dubliner has even effectively used his gift of speech to mentally wear his opponents down as we saw with Jose Aldo.

However, McGregor's trash talk often crosses boundaries and largely loses appeal when 'The Notorious' ends up losing like he did against Khabib Nurmagomedov and Dustin Poirier. The former UFC double champion made distasteful remarks about Poirier's wife and family, which did not go down well with fans.

Michael Chandler hopes Conor McGregor will avoid crossing the same boundaries in the lead-up to their fight. He further told ESPN MMA:

“There is a line that you don’t cross absolutely. When a guy has a wife, he’s got kids, family, there’s a line that you don’t cross, obviously. It’s hard for me to believe Conor’s going to cross that with me then again me even saying that in an interview probably encourages him, entices him to possibly. We’ll see.”