Michael Chandler has received a massive boost to his UFC profile ahead of the highly anticipated clash against Conor McGregor at UFC 303! The rivalry between ‘Iron’ and ‘The Notorious’ has been brewing since their stint as coaches on The Ultimate Fighter 31 last year. Originally, both men were supposed to face each other after the conclusion of the show in 2023, however, issues with McGregor’s testing status and obligations for the promotion of his role in ‘Road House’ led to the fight date confirmation being delayed.

But after the historic UFC 300 card, CEO Dana White sent shockwaves across the combat sports world when he announced that the fight would be taking place on June 29 during International Fight Week. And in an intriguing update shared on social media, it has been revealed that Chandler has been bumped up in the lightweight rankings with UFC 303 fast approaching!

Michael Chandler receives a ‘gift’ from the UFC ahead of Conor McGregor clash

With Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler set for a June 29 clash, it’s interesting to note that the Irishman’s return to competition will come close to the 3-year mark of his last fight against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021. However, in a recent interview on the MMA Hour, Michael Chandler stated that he plans to end McGregor’s MMA journey on the night.

He stated, “The most likely scenario is I go out there and absolutely dismantle him and it might be the last time we ever see Conor fight… It could be the last time we ever see him.”

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And so, with his confidence already high, Chandler has also received a jump in the rankings despite not having fought since his loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 281 in 2022. According to a post shared by Jed I. Goodman on X, “Updated #UFC LW Rankings.  UFC 303 getting closer, Chandler up 1 spot.”

The accompanying image for the post highlighted the UFC lightweight rankings, with Michael Chandler now at the number 6 spot and Beneil Dariush moving down to the number 7 spot, instead. While the boost in rankings does bode well for Chandler’s profile at lightweight, it’s also inquisitive, as the fight between McGregor and Chandler is set to occur at 170 lbs or the welterweight division.

As both fighters prepare to step into the Octagon on June 29, the anticipation continues to build, promising an unforgettable night of action for fans. However, a UFC veteran and analyst has provided his own unique perspective on the matchup!

Chael Sonnen brings up an important question for McGregor ahead of UFC 303

 According to Chael Sonnen, there is an advantage that Michael Chandler has over Conor McGregor despite proclaiming the Irishman as the “better fighter”. Speaking on an episode of his ESPN show, ‘Good Guy/Bad Guy’, the former UFC middleweight stated, “I think Conor McGregor is the better fighter, I think Conor McGregor is quicker, he’s a little bit longer, he’s got a much more awkward style. Chandler is more straightforward.”

However, he is concerned with McGregor’s extended lay-off and motivation during his training for his comeback. The Irish MMA superstar has been busy with his various business ventures and promotional duties for his acting debut. As such, Sonnen went on to confess, “I don’t know that he’s got his eye on the ball, and he’s got the eye of the tiger. Now it is one of those things where it’s a little bit of speculation, right? A guy returning from a layoff is very hard”

Consequently, Sonnen’s insights add depth to the narrative surrounding the matchup, emphasizing the importance of mental preparation in addition to physical prowess. His analysis also highlights the multifaceted nature of combat sports, where factors beyond pure skill can influence the outcome of a fight!

Do you think Michael Chandler will be able to silence the McGregor fans at UFC 303? Or will ‘The Notorious’ be triumphant in his long-awaited return? Share your thoughts in the comments below!