Michael Chandler has raised some doubts on his supposed fight with Conor McGregor by claiming the contract is not yet signed with the UFC.
McGregor took to social media New Year’s Eve to announce he would be fighting Chandler at 185lbs during International Fight Week in Vegas.
The two-weight UFC Champion also claimed the fight would take place on June 29, as opposed to the expected April UFC 300 date.
However, Chandler has raised some doubts on the fight actually happening in the summer.
Conor McGregor is set to fight Michael Chandler in June
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"We all know it’s never 100 per cent officially confirmed until we actually step in the Octagon," Chandler told ESPN.
"But before that: [It’s only official] when the UFC comes out with it.
"My team has been in touch with the UFC. 29 June is what I’m preparing for."
But Chandler is confident enough that McGregor at least won't pull out of the summer fight.
He added: “I have 100 per cent confidence that I’m fighting Conor McGregor on 29 June.
"29 June, we take this dude’s head off. With that being said, it’s a crazy sport. Injuries and sicknesses happen.
"The fight isn’t actually happening until both of us are in the cage.
"One thing I will give [McGregor] credit for: Go back, his entire career, when he says he’s going to be at a fight, has he ever pulled out of a fight?
"It’s always been someone else that’s pulled out of a fight."
McGregor was originally scheduled to make his UFC comeback against Chandler last year after the two were captains against one another on the Ultimate Fighter series.
The 35-year-old last fought in the UFC against Dustin Poirier in 2021, where he suffered fractures to his tibia and fibula.
Michael Chandler said the contracts aren't signed yet
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He was then removed from USADA's testing pool a year later, which meant his original plans to fight Chandler in 2023 were put on hold.
But McGregor returned to the testing pool in October, making him eligible to fight again.
Although, the UFC have now decided not to renew their contract with USADA, deciding instead to set up their own in-house programme.
Now that the fight finally looks to be on the cards, Chandler is looking forward to the prospect of ending McGregor's UFC career once and for all.
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Conor McGregor hasn't fought since 2021
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He added: “There’s definitely a certain aspect of that – revenge aspect.
"Make him pay for the last year. Some of it was outside of his control, but a lot of it he created…
"I didn’t think it would be delayed this long, and all of that is just deposits in the bank of me wanting to absolutely smash this dude…
"I don’t need to get emotional about it and fight outside of myself, but there will be an extra hint of satisfaction of I think ending this guy’s career.”
