Conor McGregor is formally in Michael Chandler’s rear-view now that he’s received one other combat booked, however is McGregor utterly out of the image?
After placing his profession on maintain for practically two years whereas he waited for the McGregor combat to materialize, Chandler lastly moved on earlier this month when he signed on to fulfill Charles Oliveira at UFC 309 on Nov. 16 from Madison Sq. Backyard. The combat, a rematch of their 2021 vacant light-weight title bout received by Oliveira, is scheduled for 5 rounds and can function the co-main occasion to the heavyweight title match between champion Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic.
It wasn’t essentially simple for Chandler (23-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC) to maneuver on from what would’ve been a really profitable showdown with the UFC’s largest star in McGregor, however the former Bellator champion is snug along with his present scenario.
“I believe I’ve now been put able with a No. 1 contender combat,” Chandler instructed MMA Junkie Radio on Thursday. “I nonetheless imagine UFC gold and the No. 1 subsequent to my identify, or truly the “C” subsequent to my identify, is gonna occur in 2025.”
“C” as in champion is what Chandler means. As a result of the way in which he sees it, beating Oliveira wouldn’t simply be exacting a measure of revenge. It will additionally put him on the prime of the queue for a UFC light-weight title shot regardless of shedding three of his previous 4.
In that sense, Chandler is completely comfy along with his determination to maneuver on from McGregor and believes destiny would possibly’ve intervened.
“I wasn’t prepared to attend anymore, and Charles Oliveira is the proper opponent, No. 1 contender combat, 5 rounds, co-main occasion, Madison Sq. Backyard underneath Jon Jones vs. Stipe,” Chandler mentioned. “It’s an enormous alternative. And actually it retains going by means of my thoughts that that is the way in which it was at all times alleged to be. I used to be alleged to lose to Charles in that first time I received the prospect to combat for UFC gold, solely to beat him within the rematch to turn out to be the No. 1 contender after which go beat … one of many biggest of all time already in Islam. And I imagine that’s what’s going to occur.”
However McGregor nonetheless lurks, not too long ago saying he needs to combat Chandler after the 2 of them had been set to headline UFC 303 till McGregor broke his toe a couple of month earlier than the occasion. Chandler isn’t holding a grudge in opposition to McGregor, with whom he coached in opposition to on Season 31 of “The Final Fighter” final 12 months, and nonetheless believes the combat may very well be made.
“For as a lot flack because the man will get, you’ve nonetheless received to present the man respect,” Chandler mentioned. “I do imagine that he likes the combat. I do imagine that he and I’ve some unfinished enterprise. … I believe it’s a combat that he needs. It’s clearly the combat that I would like. As I mentioned, Conor McGregor is just not my subsequent opponent, however I’m Conor McGregor’s subsequent opponent.
“I do imagine I beat Charles Oliveira on November sixteenth, and we’re gonna have some choices – choices to go combat Islam for the title, choices to combat Conor if he’s received his home so as and it’s time for him to come back again, Max Holloway for the BMF belt. There’s gonna be loads of alternatives and loads of choices. I’m enthusiastic about it. It’s gonna be a giant 2025 for the boy.”
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