Both Michael Chandler and Conor McGregor have expressed their willingness to fight each other at some point down the line. According to Chandler, the blockbuster matchup is inevitable.
During a recent interview with ESPN MMA, UFC president Dana White discussed the promotion's plans for 2023. When asked about McGregor's return, White claimed that whenever the Irishman is ready to compete, a fight will be booked. He even name-dropped Chandler as a "fun" matchup for the former two-division champion.
Speaking about a potential fight against Conor McGregor on a recent episode of his series Walk On Wisdom, Michael Chandler stated that he hasn't received any response from 'The Notorious' yet:
Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more
"Have I got a response from Conor McGregor? No response thus far. That's a fight that UFC has expressed interest in. I think Conor is interested in it based upon his response in the past."
Nevertheless, Chandler is confident that the fight will eventually come to fruition, adding:
"I think there's no doubt that me and Conor will step into the octagon together eventually. I don't know if it's next, but it definitely will be in the future."
Catch Michael Chandler's comments below (10:30):
Both Michael Chander and Conor McGregor are coming off losses to Dustin Poirier. 'The Diamond' defeated McGregor twice last year, while Chandler's last outing was a submission defeat to the former interim champion at UFC 281 last month.
Chandler's last win was a sensational knockout victory over Tony Ferguson earlier this year. Soon after his win over Ferguson, Chandler called for a welterweight clash against McGregor.
What are the opening odds for a potential Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler fight?
Michael Chandler's spectacular knockout and post-fight interview at UFC 274 garnered a response from Conor McGregor. The Irish superstar congratulated the former Bellator champion for his performance and call-out, and even indicated that he is willing to fight him at some stage of his career.
Every Chandler fight in the UFC has been a sight to behold. 'Iron' has adopted an all-action approach since signing with the UFC and has since emerged as one of the most entertaining and fan-friendly fighters on the roster. A fight against McGregor is undoubtedly a hugely marketable fight.
Oddmakers were quick to release the opening line now that all parties involved appear to be targeting the matchup. McGregor opened as a -155 favorite, while Chandler opened as a slight underdog at +135.