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Fans have mixed emotions about Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler taking place at lightweight.
McGregor and Chandler have been named coaches for The Ultimate Fighter Season 31. As a result, the two UFC superstars will meet in the Octagon at some point in the calendar year. Rumors started spreading about the highly-anticipated matchup happening at welterweight, but Dana White recently revealed they are fighting at lightweight.
Considering McGregor gained a lot of weight while recovering from his leg injury, some fans were surprised to hear he would be returning to 155 pounds:
“How is Conor gonna make that?”
“It’ll be easy for him back to 155 now he’ll be back in USADA pool, he will drop 15-20 lbs within a few weeks naturally of not been on anything. Simple cut for him back to 155."
“Surely this is cap, no way conor cuts all that weight”
“Killing Conor for this then”
“Conor has never missed weight”
Although White stated the fight would be at lightweight, it’s not too late for a switch to welterweight. Having to cut 15 pounds less would ensure neither fighter is depleted. It’s unclear what McGregor prefers, but Chandler has revealed he would rather fight at 170 pounds.
Michael Chandler was hoping his fight against Conor McGregor would be at welterweight
Michael Chandler has fought all five of his UFC fights at lightweight. ‘Iron’ packs a lot of muscle, so it’s not easy to make 155 pounds. During an appearance on The MMA Hour, Chandler was asked about his fight against Conor McGregor potentially happening at 170 pounds, and he responded by saying:
“I don’t have any understanding of weight classes or whatnot. I haven’t talked about it. I haven’t even asked, if I have to make 155, I will make 155. I by no means want to make 155. I’d be ecstatic with 170. I would rather fight at 170… I by no means make 155 easily, it’s only because of 12 weeks of a calorie-restricted diet and doing extra when a lot of people don’t have to to make their weight classes. 170 is a dream come true for me.”
Regardless of the weight class, Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler is a must-see matchup. Both fighters are coming off a loss to Dustin Poirier, but that doesn’t change the fact that they are always willing to engage in a standup war. A date and venue have not been announced as ‘The Notorious’ must pass his mandatory USADA drug tests.
Watch Michael Chandler discuss the weight class for his matchup against Conor McGregor below:
