Conor McGregor has been called out by UFC rival Michael Chandler, just over a week after losing his civil case, as the fighter looks to get their bout back on the cards
Conor McGregor has been called out by UFC rival Michael Chandler, just over a week after losing his civil case, as the fighter looks to get their bout back on the cards Conor McGregor has been called out by UFC rival Michael Chandler, just over a week after losing his civil case, as the fighter looks to get their bout back on the cards
Michael Chandler has told Conor McGregor he’s welcome to begin training for a fight between the pair after losing his civil case.
Last Friday McGregor was found liable for the assault of Nikita Hand in a hotel in 2018 and he was forced pay damages of more than £200,000. Hand alleged that McGregor “brutally raped and battered” her, with the court told she suffered extensive injuries.
McGregor denied all the allegations against him and has signalled his desire to appeal, but is dealing with the fallout of the case. The 36-year-old has since been dropped from the Hitman 3 video game by producers IO Interactive while Proximo Spirits, who own Proper Twelve whiskey, have distanced themselves from McGregor.
UFC have yet to issue any type of comment relating to the verdict involving McGregor, who is a former two-weight champion, but hasn’t fought since losing to Dustin Porier back in July 2021.
McGregor was lined up to fight Chandler back in June before the bout was postponed, but the 38-year-old has told the Irishman to now turn his attention to getting that fight back on the cards.
Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, he said: “It’s a horrible position for all around, for everyone involved… The best thing he can do, most likely, is to get back moving towards a common goal. Why not fight me? Why not be training to fight me?”
Chandler and McGregor butted heads as coaches of the latest series of The Ultimate Fighter 31, before it was confirmed they would meet in the Octagon in at UFC 303, but after McGregor suffered a broken toe in sparring the contest was called off.
Whilst the UFC have remained silent since the case against McGregor Dana White did state that he expected the Irishman to take his return to the Octagon next year. “Let me tell you this, I was the one this year saying I don’t think he’s going to fight this year, amid all the talk and everything else,” he said. ” Conor McGregor will fight next year, early 2025.”
The Irishman has earned huge sums since becoming a UFC champion, although his brand has taken a massive hit over the past week. White though hoped that McGregor hadn’t lost his appetite to return.
He said: “He’s had so much time off, as far as the hunger, he’s a very wealthy guy. We’ll find out. We’ll find out when he comes back, but he is definitely one of the big superstars of the sport that elevated the UFC all throughout Europe and other parts of the world. He’s been a big star and a great partner for us.”
Mirror – Sport