Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler is one of the most anticipated fights in modern MMA tales. ‘The Notorious’ returns for a five-round welterweight feature headliner for UFC 303 (ESPN+). However, the consensus fan-favorite Irishman is way past putting his best foot forward. Quite literally. After a leg break in his 2021 trilogy loss, he has been on a three-year layoff. However, ring rust won’t be his downfall, says Chael Sonnen.
Many fans and pundits disagree on who will win. The bookmakers can’t split the pair. But Chael Sonnen credited Michael Chandler as the likely winner. In part, due to McGregor’s habitual vices; he credited the Americans’ prolonged dedication that he has put into the bout, despite baggage. He also grunted at McGregor’s substance abuse behaviorism and lack of discipline.
Michael Chandler is going to win, You have the most disciplined guy in the sport… arguably, and you have the most undisciplined guy in the sport…for sure…It’s one of those situations where when you do this conversation everyone’s going to be lazy like I’m going to be right now and say ‘Conor’s got a puncher’s chance’, so on and so forth…don’t know where they get this idea, a puncher’s chance. I know it’s something fun people say
Chael Sonnen to Bloody Elbow’s Donagh Corby at the Bellator Paris event
This falls in line with Tim Welch preferring Chandler over the Dubliner’s weed-fueled mannerisms, brazen voice notes on X, prime disses, and so on. Recently, even reigning 155-pound king Islam Makhachev jibed at Conor McGregor’s alleged unhealthy lifestyle as a reason to make him an easy target. McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC), however, yet has quite the command of fan perceptions. His return has already made a projected $20 million live gate in pre-sales.
Chael Sonnen postulated, “The better guy wins;” for him, it’s Michael Chandler. He has been angsty for the fight even when peers mocked him for it. Now, his resolve pays off as he gets to feature in the first-ever $20 million bracket PPV event. While McGregor fights his penultimate contract fight, Chandler has already won the discourse.
Cedric Doumbe resolved to (hypothetically) beat Conor McGregor before Bellator Paris comeback
Cedric Doumbe’s homecoming win at Bellator Paris was nothing short of a hero’s return. Currently 6-1-0, his controversial stoppage skid to Baysangur ‘Baki’ Chamsoudinov in March was a big talking point. However, the kickboxing icon and PFL fame rebounded with a win over Jaleel Willis via TKO (punches) – Round 1, at the 3:33 mark.
Conor McGregor, Cedric Doumbe (Source: irishmirror.ie/ USA TODAY Sports (@usatodaysports) / X )A capacity crowd at the Accor Arena took to liking his winning stint; moreover, his walkout with a vacuum cleaner to avoid debris (as had happened against ‘Baki’) was a prime seller. ‘Le Meilleur‘ has proven yet again he can win the hearts and minds of many, even inciting a reaction from NBA sensation Victor Wembanyama. Doumbe’s French walkouts are as viral as it gets. His latest efforts had been benchmarked similarly to Conor McGregor’s lone Dublin scrap under the UFC banner in 2014 against Diego Brandao. Liking that comparison, he took to aspiring for a fantasy super-fight.
It makes sense because, I’m the face of MMA in France…as Conor was in Ireland…so the comparison makes sense…But if I fought Conor, I think I would knock him out in the first round because he is a good fighter…When I fight against a good fighter, I knock them out
Cedric Doumbe to Bloody Elbow at the Bellator Paris pre-fight Media Day event
Former UFC vet Chael Sonnen had active duty at Bellator Paris. He recently weighed in on McGregor’s long list of vices hindering his full potential. Despite that though, Conor McGregor remains a prime draw and the face of modern MMA. Beneil Dariush, Arman Tsarukyan, Charles Oliveira, Michael Chandler, and Sean O’Malley, among others, have taken a liking to the blueprint of facing the buyout king. Doumbe’s aspirations aren’t that serious. Nonetheless, it speaks to the gravitas the Irishman holds.
