‘Dr. Evil’ Conor McGregor is manipulating Michael Chandler with New Year’s announcement, says ex-double champ

Conor McGregor announced his much-anticipated return to be at middleweight. As such, Daniel Cormier analyzes the reason behind it.

‘Dr. Evil’ Conor McGregor is manipulating Michael Chandler with New Year’s announcement, says ex-double champ

UFC double champ compares Conor McGregor to Dr. Evil from Austin Powers

On New Year’s Eve, Conor McGregor broke the internet with his fight announcement video. He mentioned the long-announced Michael Chandler as his opponent and affirmed his return date as June 29. However, he surprised everyone with what he said next. He revealed the weight class of their fight to be at 185 lbs. As such, UFC double champion Daniel Cormier weighed in on the possibility of it and opined about McGregor’s manipulation tactics.

Daniel Cormier, on his YouTube channel, discussed the return of Conor McGregor. As such, he analyzed McGregor’s announcement to fight at middleweight. He believed ‘The Notorious’ wasn’t too serious about it as he cracked an evil laugh after revealing the weight class. As such, he compared him to ‘Dr. Evil from the Austin Powers show. Here is what he said:

What's he talking about 185? There's no world in which Conor McGregor is a middleweight. So, then you ask yourself why? Why is he saying 185? Well, you got to watch the video. You hear the laugh at the end. It's like Dr.Evil from the Austin Power shows. He's being the villain because the villain manipulates.
Daniel Cormier via YT
YouTube video

In the announcement video, Conor McGregor produced hysteric laughter after revealing the fight was to take place at middleweight. Even Earlier, ‘The Notorious’ hinted at fighting Chandler at 185lbs in ‘The Ultimate Fighter’. However, that looked more like a troll to hit at ‘Iron.’ As such, he produced a cold one-line by mocking Chandler, saying, ‘You’ll do what you’re told.’ As such, Daniel Cormier analyzed it as a move from the Irishman to gain a mental edge over his opponent and turn him into a ‘villain.’

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Conor McGregor’s last fight was at UFC 264 in 2021. Unfortunately, he suffered a gruesome leg injury, which sidelined him for years. However, his comeback was anticipated for a long time, and finally, he announced his return date. So, according to McGregor, he would return during International Fight Week to face Michael Chandler in a middleweight bout.

Daniel Cormier advises Michael Chandler to stand up to Conor McGregor

Michael Chandler has been out of action chasing a lucrative ‘money fight’ with Conor McGregor. After a long wait, ‘The Notorious’ announced his return date recently. Also, he revealed about fighting Chandler at middleweight, two weight classes above Chandler’s usual weight class. However, Chandler accepted the fight. Now, Daniel Cormier advised ‘Iron’ to stand up to McGregor and not let him pull the strings.

Daniel Cormier advises Michael Chandler to stand up to Conor McGregor
Daniel Cormier advises Michael Chandler to stand up to Conor McGregor (via MMA Mania/Fan Sided MMA)

Ever since the fight with Conor McGregor was possible, Michael Chandler did whatever he had to do to get the fight against the Irishman. As such, he predominantly played the ‘good guy’, letting ‘The Notorious’ walk over him. As such, Daniel Cormier didn’t approve of Chandler’s attitude and urged him to stand up for himself. Here is what he said:

Michael Chandler refuses to play the bad guy... You gotta stand up at times. With a guy like Conor McGregor you gotta find a way. And it's hard, because he is the biggest star and you do know what you're staring at in terms of a pay-day. But, you gotta find a way to take some of that power away as a competitor. And right now, my boy Michael Chandler he's not doing that.

Michael Chandler hasn’t fought for over a year with the hope to fight Conor McGregor. As such, he was at the receiving end of McGregor’s play. So, he had to bend a little to get the fight. However, as a fighter, he was confident in winning and even predicted a knockout when he met ‘The Notorious.’ As for McGregor, this would mark his return to the octagon after almost three years. So, they would fight on June 29 in a showdown for the international fight week.

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