Michael Chandler Says He’d Stop Conor McGregor “in Under Two”

Now that Michael Chandler is a pending free agent, there’s been a lot of talk about whether he could head to the UFC.

So, what if the former Bellator champ does wind up with the world’s largest MMA promotion, and faces Conor McGregor? Well, the well-rounded fighter has no doubt that he’d defeat the former champ-champ.

Chandler believes he’d finish McGregor inside of “two”

The 34-year-old Chandler closed out his current Bellator deal this past Friday, by quickly putting away Benson Henderson. It marked the second time Chandler had defeated Henderson, as he worked his way to a split decision win over the former UFC champ in 2016.

As noted above, Chandler is about to test the free agency waters. Due to Chandler’s abilities and accomplishments, for some time now, there’s been talk about how he’d do in the UFC.

Well, following Bellator 243, Chandler was asked about his future, and the possibility of fighting McGregor. While Chandler credits McGregor for how he’s helped build the sport, the powerful wrestler is certain he’d dominate the star (quotes via MMA Junkie).

“The thing about Conor McGregor is I’ve always loved what he has done with the sport. I’ve never once hated on him.

In the very beginning, I did say he’s not as good as he thinks he is, but he’s better than we think he is, and he continued to prove that.

I still don’t think he’s as good as he thinks he is, but that’s a testament to his self-belief. If all of us had a little bit more self-belief, like Conor McGregor, life would be a little bit different and we’d look at life through a different lens.”

“As far as that fight goes, I finish Conor in under two, in my opinion,” Chandler stated. “It’d be similar to, shades of (Nate) Diaz I.

Wear him down, hit him with hard shots – hard, hard shots. Take every single one of his shots.

He’s got that sneaky and strong and thick and hard left hand that he throws, and it’s straight. You avoid that, wear him down a little bit, make him see Jesus. Just put him out.”

Reaction?

When you consider the abilities and overall game of Chandler, his comments here shouldn’t come as a surprise. Chandler is a former, NCAA Division 1 All-American wrestler, and he also hits, incredibly hard.

Who would win that fight aside, it’s hard to imagine this bout happening anytime soon, if ever. If Chandler signs with the UFC, and if he goes on to win the promotion’s lightweight crown, then maybe, we could see him facing McGregor.

But, as it stands right now, McGregor is retired.