"He drinks Proper 12 a lot" - UFC lightweight "hundred percent" sure Michael Chandler will beat Conor McGregor

Conor McGregor's return has sparked widespread anticipation among mixed martial arts fans. The Irishman is currently filming for season 31 of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF), where he's cast as Michael Chandler's rival coach. Once the season is complete, the two will square off on a UFC fight card, and speculation has centered on who will emerge victorious from the potential clash.

McGregor and Chandler both suffered defeats at the hands of Dustin Poirier in their latest octagon outings at UFC 264 and UFC 281, respectively. They have both lost three out of their last four bouts, which makes the future fight between the two a high-stakes matchup. Top-ranked UFC lightweight contender Rafael Fiziev is the latest entrant to offer his take on who will emerge victorious between the two.

Conor McGregor asserts that he has fully recovered from the leg injury he sustained against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 and is prepared to make another run at the championship. However, Fiziev is skeptical of McGregor returning to his former glory. The No.6-ranked lightweight contender recently encountered 'The Notorious' at the UFC Performance Institute in Las Vegas and was startled by the Irishman's condition, implying that McGregor had been partying instead of training.

Speaking in a recent interview on Submission Radio, Fiziev stated:

“Bro, I saw McGregor’s face when he came to UFC P.I., I think too much party. Too much party every day. You know, his face like… he looks like he rests a lot, drinks Proper No. Twelve a lot. Yeah, I think Chandler has a big chance to make his future sweet. Chandler, he also has good timing, has big power."

He added:

"He just has to be like smart, everything smart with Conor McGregor. No need to make like something crazy like with Justin. You know, put his hands down, going forward. This he has to delete it. [He needs to be] more smart and he can beat him for sure. I believe a hundred percent.”

Check out the full interview below:

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Gilbert Burns offers his take on Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler on The Ultimate Fighter

Conor McGregor and Gilbert Burns have maintained a hostile relationship, as evidenced by several Twitter exchanges the pair have engaged in the past.

Previously, Burns had warned the Irishman against competing at 170 pounds. Conor McGregor disregarded Burns' caution, and his eagerly anticipated return will take place in the welterweight division against Michael Chandler once filming for The Ultimate Fighter concludes.

In a recent interview with Submission Radio, Burns weighed in on the potential Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler fight:

"I think it’s a tough fight for Michael, I don’t think it’s an easy fight, but I hope Michael knocks him out very bad. I never hope that for anyone, but I hope Michael gets a good win. I don’t want to wish nothing bad for Conor, it is what it is. The guy’s a two-time champion, helped to change the sport. Didn’t make the right choice sometimes, but I just hope Michael wins and I’m going to do everything in my power to help Michael to get prepared and I hope Michael gets a finish.”

Check out the full interview below: