Conor McGregor predicts he will too "snappy and whippy" for Michael Chandler in his UFC comeback fight.
McGregor, 34, looks for his first UFC win in over three years when he faces Chandler after coaching against his rival on season 31 of The Ultimate Fighter. No date or location has been announced for the Irishman's return fight, but it's expected to take place after August as he will need to complete six months of mandatory drug testing before fighting again.
The former two-weight world champion and Chandler have begun filming the UFC's reality TV show, which airs from May until August. Whilst sporting his team jersey for The Ultimate Fighter, McGregor gave a prediction for his fight against top lightweight contender Chandler.
"I think I'm going to slice through him," McGregor told The Mac Life of his American rival. "I think I'm a little too slicey for him than anyone else he's fought. A little too snappy and whippy and I think I'll slice through him. 185, that's what I said to him yesterday; 'Do you know what weight we're doing, are you alright with 185?' Just having a buzz with him, he's a nice boy.
"I like Michael, I had a good little buzz with him yesterday. I think he's a good fighter, coaching against him? I'm interested to see his coaching style, he's more of an athlete type of a guy than a technical martial artist. I know he’s got some skills in the wrestling department and he’s got some skills overall. As far as the small, finer details, I’m interested to see."
McGregor recently told Mirror Fighting that he was feeling "good" and "energetic" ahead of jetting off to Las Vegas to film The Ultimate Fighter. "I'm looking forward to it, I'm throwing up my high kicks faster than I'm throwing out my jab, so I'm very excited to get back," he said.
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'Notorious' makes his second coaching stint on The Ultimate Fighter having previously gone head to head against Urijah Faber on the reality show in 2015, just weeks after knocking out Chad Mendes to win the interim featherweight title. Chandler is relishing the opportunity to be in the Irishman's company for several weeks and he explained why it could be a "rough night" for either of the pair in their eventual fight.
“If he lands one on the button, it’s going to be a rough night for me," Chandler told ESPN of McGregor. "If I land one on the button, it’s going to be a rough night for him, but which one of us can do it? I’m going to get in his face, make him take a backwards step right away."
