Conor McGregor's return to the UFC octagon seems like an inevitability, but the identity of his next opponent remains very much an unknown.
McGregor is currently away from the octagon pursuing other avenues outside of the sport. But lightweight contender Michael Chandler is sure we'll see the Irishman back in the cage soon.
"The sport is better, and the organisation and our lightweight division is better when Conor McGregor is part of it," the three-time former Bellator champion told TMZ.
"That being said, he needs to come back at the right time."
Chandler has made no secret of his desire to welcome "The Notorious" back to the octagon, and said that, with Islam Makhachev set to take on Charles Oliveira for the vacant UFC lightweight title, the opportunity could open up for Chandler and McGregor to face off later in the year, or early in 2023.
"I do think it opens up the door," said Chandler.
"If Conor’s coming back anytime soon, you know I’m not booked right now. If Conor’s coming back anytime soon, I think me and Conor would make some fireworks, and it’s a fight that fans want to see."
Chandler arrived in the UFC with a bang as he finished Dan Hooker in half a round at UFC 257, but back-to-back losses to Oliveira and Justin Gaethje – both in thrilling encounters – left him on his first skid since 2014.
But Chandler bounced back in spectacular fashion with a front-kick knockout of former interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson at UFC 274 in May to put himself right back in the championship conversation at 155 pounds.
Now, with the title set to be contested by Oliveira and Makhachev, Chandler sees a matchup with McGregor as the perfect next step in his career, and a huge box office smash for the UFC.
"I think it’s the biggest fight that we can make in mixed martial arts right now," he said.
"And I try to say that as humbly as possible. But I think it’s a huge fight."
