After a long wait, Michael Chandler remains optimistic that his next appearance in the UFC Octagon will indeed be against the highly anticipated opponent, Conor McGregor.
Chandler`s last outing in the Octagon was a tough one; at UFC 314 in April, he sustained a significant loss, being stopped by Paddy Pimblett in the third round.
Before the Miami event, the potential stakes for Chandler`s bout were heightened by Conor McGregor himself, who expressed interest in facing the winner and even placed a $50,000 wager on Chandler securing a knockout victory.
Despite Chandler`s defeat in Miami, McGregor surprisingly hinted that he might still be interested in stepping into the cage with the aggressive fighter for his potential return to the UFC.
Chandler Joined by Theo Von for Training Session
McGregor, known as `The Notorious,` has consistently stated that his comeback would require a stadium venue, specifically naming the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas as his preferred location.
UFC President Dana White is scheduled to hold the inaugural TKO Boxing event at Allegiant Stadium, which could potentially influence future decisions about hosting UFC cards at the same venue.
As speculation about a fight with Chandler persists, McGregor has also been active on social media, sharing glimpses of his training.
Chandler, known for maintaining peak physical condition year-round, was recently seen training alongside well-known comedian Theo Von.
Von is an avid UFC enthusiast and has frequently attended live events over the years, earning praise from fans for his dedication, even showing up early for the preliminary fights.
This isn’t the first instance of the Louisiana native training with Chandler. Von has previously praised him, stating, “Chandler’s great man. Chandler is one of the hardest working dudes I know. I go to the same gym as him. You can work out near him but you definitely feel like you don’t have the same blood as him.”
McGregor`s UFC Return Delayed: Still Out of Testing Pool
Despite the former two-division UFC champion consistently hinting at a return to competition, official records from the UFC Anti-Doping database indicate he has not yet re-entered the testing pool.
Consequently, his eligibility to compete is postponed for a minimum of six months from the date he officially re-registers for testing.
Notably, despite not fighting in the previous year, McGregor was among the most tested athletes in the UFC, undergoing 11 test sessions in anticipation of a planned return at UFC 303, which was ultimately canceled.
