UFC could axe blockbuster Conor McGregor return plans by 'skipping' Michael Chandler despite Ultimate Fighter rivalry

Dec 27, 2023

THE UFC could SCRAP their plans for Conor McGregor's proposed comeback, it's been predicted.

The Notorious is due to make his blockbuster return against Michael Chandler - his rival coach on the season of The Ultimate Fighter - later this year.

A date, however, for their showdown has yet to be announced - leading many to doubt it will come to fruition.

And after getting wind of the reportedly lower-than-expected TUF ratings, former two-division champion Henry Cejudo can see the UFC brass changing course.

Triple C recently told The Schmo: "I could see them skipping Chandler. I could see Conor just saying, ‘Hey, I’m gonna want this guy.’

"Chandler's entertaining, but he's not a big name. There's no UFC belt around him.

"He's not a legend in the UFC. He's an entertainer of the UFC, but he hasn't got there yet."

McGregor's proposed clash with Chandler will be his first outing since breaking his leg in his trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier in July 2021.

The general consensus is that Chandler's route to victory lies in him utilising his wrestling, which he's seldom used during his two-year stint in the promotion.

But Cejudo doesn't see anything other than Iron getting himself involved in an all-out brawl with slick southpaw sniper McGregor.

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He said: "I feel like Chandler, if he had the right tactics, he could potentially beat anybody in the world. Because he has power and he has wrestling.

"But I don't think he's really kind of put those two things together that's really helped him to become a little more well-rounded in the tactical sense."

It's understood the UFC brass are aiming for McGregor and Chandler to throw down in December.

And Mystic Mac has claimed the fight will be officially announced before this season of TUF comes to a close.

The UFC's first simultaneous two-weight world champion said late last month: "The fight's signed now.

"It’ll be announced during The Ultimate Fighter.

"So, The Ultimate Fighter is airing in a few days on ESPN; by the time that show finishes, we’ll have a date and everything set for the fans."

The UFC is set to stage its final pay-per-view event of the year, UFC 296, in Las Vegas on December 16 - although they have yet to officially announce the card.