Has the time of retribution begun? Conor McGregor is about to test himself against Michael Chandler after a voluntary exile from the world of fighting for three years. ‘Mystic Mac’ tried his best for a fight at the grand stage and Dana White heard him; their clash is set to take place on UFC 303 in the welterweight division. However, is McGregor ready for such a challenge?

Chandler has been more active in the Octagon than McGregor and there’s a rumor that he would have a better chance at ‘170 lbs than McGregor. Well, rumors apart, after featherweight and lightweight, there’s a new challenge in front of McGregor.

Conor McGregor has a new set of challenges waiting for him

Conor McGregor’s endeavor in the lightweight can featherweight division was the epitome of success. From being one of the most basic fighters to becoming the first dual-weight champion, McGregor’s run at the titles was one of the most inspiring stories in the promotion. However, a new set of challenges awaits the former dual-weight champion in the shape of ‘170’ lbs.

According to former UFC fighter and Hall of Famer, Chael Sonnen, Conor McGregor is going to do what is not done by any fighter in the UFC yet. It is like a new challenge for the former dual-weight champion. Mystic Mac’s run for the dual-weight championship was a glorious thing and he was hungry to defeat and claim everything. At one point in time, fans even thought that he could not be defeated, Sonnen argues that if he had this hunger then he would be clinching the victory.

“He wins the debate of ‘can you do both.’ He would win if he wasn’t hunkered down, if he was buckled down, if he was fully focused on training, if he was working to get out the do, if he was working to change his family lives like we were told when he stopped Jose Aldo when he stopped Eddie Alvarez when he went 30 minutes with Floyd Mayweather, and now he’s doing something different,” said Chael Sonnen.

Sonnen further emphasized that McGregor’s position is rather peculiar now as he has not tested himself under a new weight class and that too against one of the best in the division. This fight would not be the same as he would be facing a new opponent in a new weight class and for his return. “Like if there’s anything different now when it’s yet to work, right now it’s a test he has never been in this position. It is not a matter of ‘can you beat Jose Aldo at 145?’ He’d already been to 145, he’d already beaten top contenders. This has not been tested before. Can you be out for a sustained period of time? Can you change weight classes and walk into a five-round atmosphere against a higher-ranked opponent? It’s never been done.”

Chael Sonnen might have a better assessment of the fight considering his experience, however, it would be a suicide to underestimate McGregor who likes to turn the tables on everything. Additionally, Michael Chandler has come forward to assert that he has a better chance of winning against the former dual-weight champion.

“I am the better fighter”: Michael Chandler

Conor Mcgregor has been uploading snippets of his training and we can witness that he is having minimal effects due to his damaged shin. In the light of these videos, Michael Chandler has come forward to state that McGregor might be a better striker and better wrestler but he is a better fighter than him overall.“I’d say he’s the better striker from a crisp, longer, more sniping standpoint. He’s got that great step-back left. He’s had great success with guys who aggressively fight him who are a little bit shorter than him,” said Chandler.

He further added, “What I need to work on for this fight is continue to be the best version of myself. Maybe a little bit more tactical realizing that I’ve earned this. Realize that I am the better fighter. I am the tougher fighter and the guy that deserves it more. I don’t need to getting into a fire fight with a guy who has got a bigger riffle than me. I think I hit harder than he does.”

‘Iron’ seems to be a bit confident in his approach against Conor McGregor but it must be noted that McGregor might have an upper hand due to his ability to stay away and launch attacks. Both the fighters are coming off from losses and a win is a must for both of them. What’s your take on their fight? Do you expect Conor McGregor to showcase a dominant performance? State your thoughts in the comments below.