MICHAEL CHANDLER believes he is the perfect opponent for Conor McGregor’s return fight.
McGregor, 33, has been out of action since breaking his leg against Dustin Poirier last July.
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The Dubliner is eyeing a return to the UFC at some point this year, and Michael Chandler believes he should get the nod.
He told MMA Fighting: “I want that Conor fight just for the magnitude of the moment.
“Stepping inside that octagon and doing something really monumental and fighting him in front of all the mixed martial arts eyeballs.
“I mean eyeballs across the whole entire world. You don’t get a bigger platform than fighting Conor McGregor.
“That’s what I would love to happen, if I don’t get the title shot, of course. But July [or] August would be great for me.”
Chandler takes on fellow lightweight contender Tony Ferguson at UFC 274, on the undercard of 155lbs champ Charles Oliveira’s title defence against Justin Gaethje.
Despite losing two of his last three fights, such is McGregor’s profile and PPV value to the UFC that he has been linked with a title challenge upon his return.
Chandler said that, should he beat Ferguson and neither he nor McGregor get the next shot at the belt, they should face eachother.
He said: “I will go out there beat Tony in May, just have a little bit of time to recover, and then go right back in there for a July [or] August fight. The timing works out perfect.
“If he comes back and he doesn’t get that title shot, he’s going to have to go through somebody to get that title shot.
“I think I’m kind of that perfect guy right there, ranked about No. 5. If he comes in and gets a win over me, he definitely gets the title shot.
“We’ll see.”
