“That’s my Mystic Mike prediction,” Michael Chandler predicts how fight goes against Conor McGregor at UFC 303

Michael Chandler's 'Mystic Mike' prediction for Conor McGregor showdown at UFC 303 reveals a dominant outcome.

“That’s my Mystic Mike prediction,” Michael Chandler predicts how fight goes against Conor McGregor at UFC 303

Michael Chandler predicts victory against Conor McGregor (Image via: IMAGO)

Conor McGregor singlehandedly made MMA popular across the globe. McGregor’s exciting fighting style and persona made him a household name. One of the reasons for his popularity was that he accurately predicted his fights, which got him the nickname ‘The Mystic Mac.’ It seems like Michael Chandler has put a new spin on that nickname.

Dana White recently announced McGregor’s return to fight after three years against Michael Chandler at UFC 303. The announcement has hyped fight fans across the globe, but none more than Chandler. The former three-time Bellator champion has always predicted he would finish McGregor. It remains unchanged in a recent interview after UFC 300.

I think I'll put him [ Conor McGregor] on his back foot in the first round, make him second guess himself in the first round, start drowning him in the first round, and finish him in the second. I don't know if it's going to be a KO or a choke, make him give up his back, his neck, but I think it's going to be a second round finish. And that has not changed. That's my Mystic Mike prediction.
Michael Chandler via The MacLife
YouTube video

McGregor had earlier stated that the fight would be at middleweight. However, Dana White announced that the fight would happen at welterweight. For the fight, Chandler does not expect to bulk up significantly. He plans to be at a weight similar to when he was at lightweight, which is 190lbs before the weight cut.

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Chandler still does not know what the UFC has in store. As such, he could not say whether the rumored 165lbs title would be on the line at UFC 303. The PPV is on International Fight Week and Chandler has done everything possible to excite the fans about the return of ‘The Notorious.’

Michael Chandler lavishes praise on Conor McGregor

Michael Chandler’s arrival in the UFC generated a lot of excitement. He made his debut at UFC 257, where he faced Dan Hooker in an explosive matchup. Chandler showcased his skills and knocked out Hooker in the first round, making a strong statement in the lightweight division. Before that, he was the backup fighter for UFC 254, where Khabib Nurmagomedov retired after defeating Justin Gaethje.

Michael Chandler responded to Conor McGregor's revelation
Michael Chandler responded to Conor McGregor’s revelation (via Sports Illustrated)

With exciting fights after his debut, despite losses, Chandler was on a collision course to become the most exciting fighter in the division. As such, he bagged an opportunity to coach opposite Conor McGregor at The Ultimate Fighter. Chandler has always showered praise on McGregor, and even after the official fight announcement, that has not changed.

He's [Conor McGregor] at a different rung in the sport when it comes to what he has done, how he's revolutionized the game, how he's changed the game, how everybody's making more money, everybody has more eyes, eyeballs on them because of a guy like him who has trailblazed in a lot of ways.
Michael Chandler via The MacLife

Despite McGregor’s long layoff, he is a betting favorite against Chandler. However, McGregor was the favorite in the early days after the announcement of Conor McGregor vs. Dustin Poirier III. However, he closed as a sizeable underdog as the fight closed in.

Stylistically, Chandler has the wrestling to neutralize the Irishman. However, he has not used it effectively in the UFC. The American has a penchant to entertain the crowd, and that style would likely play right into McGregor’s counterstriking style. Only time will tell how the American fighter chooses to compete against the Irishman.

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