Daniel Cormier wants to up the ante on Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler.
After more than a year of false starts, McGregor’s return to the Octagon against Chandler is finally set for June 29th at UFC 303. This fight will be McGregor’s first in more than two years. The former UFC two-division champion hasn’t competed since his breakout, losing a leg to Dustin Poirier in July 2021 — and Cormier has announced that such a long-awaited moment has long been discussed in the new UFC I believe it deserves the introduction of the title.
“This is my thought process, right? As I’ve said many times, when it comes to championship opportunities, a lot of times it’s about being in the right place at the right time,” Cormier said on Monday. Good Guy/Bad Guy”.
“Back to my story, they weren’t going to give me my first championship opportunity.” [in 2015]. But then Alexander Gustafsson got injured and they called me and I took his place. I never left the title picture after that because I trusted it. They could always call me and say, “Hey, do you want to fight this guy for the belt?”It was the same with Dustin Poirier now, we’re seeing it happening [at UFC 302]if you are in the right place at the right time under the right circumstances, it can sometimes happen faster.
“I believe that if you’re going to do a 165-pound division, you should name it big enough to get people’s attention,” Cormier continued. “Conor McGregor is that name. Michael Chandler, on the other hand, would benefit from being in the right place at the right time, where they would fight for the world super-lightweight championship,” he said. Let’s call it super lightweight because that’s what I believe. Move the 170 to the 175, keep the 205. [keep] Heavyweight. ”
McGregor and Chandler coached each other on “The Ultimate Fighter 31” in early 2023. Both fighters have lost three of their past four UFC appearances.
Cormier’s proposal is nothing new. Many UFC athletes have long pushed for the introduction of a 165-pound division, arguing that there is no ideal weight class and too many fighters remain in the middle due to the 15-pound jump between lightweight and welterweight. I’ve done it. Proponents of the move have also pointed to the abundance of talent between the 155-pound and 170-pound weight classes as a reason for the UFC to create a ninth men’s weight class, with the potential It is said that they are also opening a ninth belt that could potentially bring high rewards. Per view.
The biggest hurdle in the discussion has always been one name: Dana White. UFC CEOs have long vehemently opposed the introduction of a 165-pound division.
And in that regard, White has a supporter in Cormier’s co-host Chel Sonnen.
“First of all, I don’t need the 165-pound title,” Sonnen said.
“Part 2, the committee doesn’t allow fights at 165 pounds. Part 3, the UFC won’t have any fights in the 165 pound division. Part 4, these guys [McGregor and Chandler] In total, I have suffered more losses than I have in my entire career.
“So if anyone comes back for the legendary belt, it could very well be yours.”
