Michael Chandler has broken his silence regarding his rumored fight with Conor McGregor, stating that he has not yet signed a contract for the bout.
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UFC 302 announcement
Conor McGregor previously announced on New Year's Eve that he and Chandler would face off in a highly anticipated showdown during International Fight Week in Las Vegas on June 29.
Chandler's response
Despite the announcement, Chandler has revealed that the fight is far from finalized. He stated, "We all know it's never 100 percent officially confirmed until we actually step in the Octagon. But before that: [It's only official] when the UFC comes out with it. My team has been in touch with the UFC, and 29 June is what I'm preparing for."
Confidence in the fight
Chandler expressed his confidence in fighting McGregor on June 29, but acknowledged the unpredictable nature of the sport, stating, "The fight isn't actually happening until both of us are in the cage. One thing I will give [McGregor] credit for: Go back, his entire career, when he says he's going to be at a fight, has he ever pulled out of a fight? It's always been someone else that's pulled out of a fight."
Weight class speculation
McGregor has claimed that the fight with Chandler would take place in the middleweight division, a weight class that neither fighter has previously competed in. However, Chandler dismissed the significance of the weight, saying, "It doesn't matter. I don't care whether he wants to fight at 185lbs, 170, 205 – whatever it may be. You've got to remember, he doesn't want to fight at 155 because he wants everybody to believe he's bigger than he is."
McGregor's and Chandler's recent history
McGregor has been out of action since his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier in which he suffered a leg injury. Chandler, on the other hand, last fought in November 2022, where he was submitted by Poirier.
