CONOR McGREGOR has been urged to snub fighting Michael Chandler on his UFC return to avoid history repeating itself.
The Irishman is open to facing former Bellator champion Chandler in his comeback bout.
But UFC legend Tito Ortiz fears it could end in disaster for McGregor, 33, like it did against Khabib Nurmagomedov, 33, in 2018.
Ortiz, 47, told Helen Yee: “It doesn’t make sense for Conor McGregor.
“I mean, Chandler is a wrestler who can strike. That’s not Conor’s strength.
“I think Khabib really showed that and what he can do with it. [Dustin] Poirier showed what he can do with wrestling also, with striking.
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“For Conor to come back after the injury he had, I have nothing but respect for the guy.
“The guy has a steel rod in his leg and he still wants to come back and still compete after all of the money he did make.”
McGregor has been nursing the broken leg he suffered in his trilogy bout against Poirier, 33, in July.
But after a successful surgery last year, he is back training and gearing towards a comeback.
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERSChandler, 36, has been linked as McGregor’s next opponent, but UFC legend Daniel Cormier would prefer a trilogy with Nate Diaz, 37.
Cormier, 43, told ESPN: “Well, I’ve got two names. I know who he should fight, and I know who he probably will fight.
“Who he should fight is Nate Diaz. They should complete this trilogy. It’s a massive fight.
“Both guys are not necessarily in the title picture right now. It’s a fun fight. We’ve seen it twice and both of them have delivered.
“I think it’s evenly matched, so I think he should fight Nate Diaz.
“Who I believe he will fight is Michael Chandler because Michael Chandler has taken the UFC by storm.”
