Conor McGregor has vowed to "crush" Michael Chandler after his UFC rival suggested he would win by KO in their upcoming clash.
McGregor has been out of action for almost two years but announced earlier this year that he will make his long-awaited return in a fight against Chandler this year. The pair have already built a rivalry while filming for the coaching part of their clash which forms part of the UFC's latest series of The Ultimate Fighter.
Despite having respect for each other, the pair have been involved in some early trash-talking with a date yet to be confirmed for their grudge fight. And Chandler has now issued a bold prediction which has raised the stakes further where he thinks size will actually be in his favour on fight night.
"I don't see this fight lasting more than two rounds," he said in an interview with ESPN MMA when discussing his next fight against McGregor. "My 'Mystic Mike' prediction is that I finish him in the second round by KO; clean KO, his head bounces off the canvas. He's put on some size, but he hasn't carried that size.
"He's been carrying this size for 10 months. I've been carrying this size for 10 years. And he's not as big as he thinks he is. He's gonna be slower than he thought he was. And I'm gonna go out there, and pick him apart, pick him up, put him down, beat him in any way that I want to. And honestly, have my way with him. And it's going to be awesome."
However McGregor has quickly fired back at his rival on Twitter, writing: "You’re getting crushed, pal." This is not the first time the pair have had differences, given a reported clash on set of The Ultimate Fighter which has since been put to bed but will air on the series.
It will need to be an improved display for McGregor against the contender, if he is to reverse his form after winning just one of his last four UFC appearances. However he has made a confident prediction of his own insisting he can be the one who ends the contest early.
"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 think he's a good fighter. 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."
