Former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor is expected to make his return to the cage against former Bellator champion Michael Chandler on June 29 for an event that’s part of the UFC’s “International Fight Week.” Early betting odds at top UFC sportsbooks have McGregor at -120, with Chandler a slight underdog at +100.
The UFC has not officially confirmed the bout, but McGregor announced the date and opponent in a recent social media post, saying the two lightweights would contest the fight at 185 pounds. That would make it the first fight for either man in the middleweight division.
Read on for full UFC odds and analysis on the McGregor vs. Chandler fight.
Conor McGregor fight odds
Conor McGregor (-120) vs. Michael Chandler (+100)
McGregor (22-6) has not fought since his loss to Dustin Poirier via TKO due to injury in July 2021. He suffered a grisly leg break in that fight, forcing a halt to the action after the first round. The former UFC champ had lost to Poirier via second-round knockout in their previous bout that January, with this rubber match then slated for the summer.
Since then, McGregor has been working to rehab the leg injury while also preparing for a comeback fight against Chandler (23-8). McGregor and Chandler served as opposing coaches on “The Ultimate Fighter,” the UFC’s long-running reality TV show, but the expected fight between them did not come to fruition after the show aired.
Finally, after publicly airing his frustration about not being offered a fight, McGregor announced this matchup in a New Year’s Eve social media post. Chandler has since confirmed the fight, though the UFC has yet to make an official announcement about it.
Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler fight analysis
McGregor’s main weapon in his fights has historically been his powerful left hand. As a featherweight, he displayed one-punch knockout power using that straight left. He also developed a competent kicking game while working out of a wide, karate-based stance, and his grappling has steadily improved.
Still, as McGregor has moved up in weight, his punching power hasn’t always followed. His last victory was four years ago at welterweight against a version of Donald Cerrone that seemed very much diminished by age. McGregor has often shown himself to be extremely dangerous in the first round, though that explosive power sometimes fades as the fight wears on. The big question is how he’ll react to the long injury layoff, especially if he finds himself in a prolonged battle that tests his cardio.
Chandler began his MMA career as a wrestler after being an All-American on the mats at the University of Missouri. He steadily developed into a well-rounded fighter with plenty of knockout power of his own as he gained, lost, and regained the Bellator lightweight title. He moved to the UFC relatively late in his career, with mixed results. Chandler’s gone 2-3 since signing with the UFC. The three losses, however, all came against former champs or title contenders, with the wins coming against lesser competition.
McGregor vs. Chandler fight date & info
While there’s been no official announcement from the UFC, the McGregor-Chandler fight appears as though it may headline an International Fight Week event on June 29, with T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas as the most likely venue. In all probability, the fight will air on ESPN+ pay-per-view.
