Conor McGregor offered UFC comeback fight against Michael Chandler but American could take on Dustin Poirier first
CONOR MCGREGOR has been offered a UFC comeback fight by Michael Chandler – although the American could face Dustin Poirier first.
Irishman McGregor, 34, is gearing up for a return to the octagon.
He has spent the last year recovering from the broken leg he suffered in the first round of his trilogy against Poirier, 33.
Meanwhile Chandler most recently knocked out Tony Ferguson in stunning style.
We reported previously how the former Bellator champion wants to welcome McGregor back into the UFC with a box office blockbuster.
Now he has reiterated that desire to have arguably UFC’s biggest-ever fight by telling TMZ Sports: “I would love the opportunity to compete against him.
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“If it happens, it happens. If it doesn’t, you know, I’m not going to lose sleep at night. But it’s definitely the fight that I want.”
However, despite doing his best to secure a showdown with Notorious, the 36-year-old lightweight contender seems far more confident that a clash with Poirier could be next in line.
Speaking to the media after Saturday’s UFC London event, Chandler said: “As of right now, me and Poirier are the only guys that are not matched up inside the top five.
“There’s no secret Dustin Poirier and I have been on a collision course to stepping inside the octagon. Beneil Dariush just got matched up. Obviously, Islam and Charles are fighting. [Justin] Gaethje’s out with a nose surgery and I just fought Gaethje two fights ago.
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“I think everybody calling out Conor McGregor — and I have called him out, but I’ve called him out in a respectful manner. ‘Hey Conor, whenever you’re ready to come back, whenever you’re ready, whenever the leg is 100 percent healed.’
“The sport of mixed martial arts, the UFC as a promotion is better with Conor McGregor in it, but we need to see a healthy Conor McGregor inside the octagon. He doesn’t need to rush back, we’ll see when he comes back.”
Chandler added: “So I’m not waiting. I think you’re going to hear some fight news coming pretty soon and it could be me and Dustin Poirier. We’ll see.”