Michael Chandler still believes he’s the right opponent for Conor McGregor’s UFC return.
[autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag] is not ready to turn the page on a potential fight with UFC star [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag] despite everything that’s transpired.
Chandler, a former Bellator lightweight champion, returned to the octagon last Saturday at UFC 309. There, he lost a unanimous decision to Charles Oliveira after putting his career on hold for well over a year and waiting for a fight with McGregor to materialize.
Now back in action, the 38-year-old wants to revisit the McGregor fight for the summer of 2025.
“I think me and Conor International Fight Week is the next fight,” Chandler said on Bussin’ with the Boys. “That’s what I’m throwing out there. I think June, July.”
Chandler (23-9 MMA, 2-4 UFC) coached The Ultimate Fighter 31 against McGregor. The two were supposed to fight this past July at UFC 303, but McGregor withdrew from the matchup due to injury.
Chandler believes the Irishman will return to the cage, and he’s extremely confident the fight to make is against him.
“I’m not saying it’s a real reality, but I am saying if he does, his road comes straight through Nashville, Tennessee,” Chandler explained. “His road back to the UFC, we have to finish The Ultimate Fighter. The UFC wants us to finish The Ultimate Fighter, Conor wants to fight me, and he can fight anybody. He made a commitment.
“I’ve said this numerous times: I have no problem giving my opponents props. I think he is more sentimental and romantic about the sport than people give him credit for because he’s become this big, infamous brand. But he knows he’s nothing without the UFC octagon. He knows he’s nothing without the UFC. He was a plumber on welfare, sleeping on a couch. Without the UFC, he’s nothing. I don’t say that to take that away from him. We need our employers and brands to take us to the next level to create our lives.”
On top of thinking he makes the most sense for McGregor, Chandler also believes McGregor misses the octagon, and doesn’t buy that he will make his hiatus from the sport permanent.
“I think he wants to see through to his commitment,” Chandler said. “Quite frankly, he needs to come back. He needs something to chase, or else he’s going to chase the wrong things. And if he does, it just so happens that there’s a guy waiting, and I’m one of the top draws in the UFC. People will pay good money to watch me fight.”
With a UFC comeback seemingly imminent, Jorge Masvidal shares his plans for 2025.
[autotag]Jorge Masvidal[/autotag] wants to make a big splash for his return to the UFC.
The original BMF champion, Masvidal plans to return next April at the UFC’s expected pay-per-view event in Miami, and he’s specifically targeting a couple of big names in star [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag] and former welterweight champion [autotag]Leon Edwards[/autotag].
Masvidal (35-17 MMA, 12-10 UFC) has history with both fighters, but ideally he’d like to face McGregor.
“I’d like for it to be Conor (McGregor) because I heard he also wants to fight on that same date,” Masvidal told MMA Junkie in Spanish. “He’s never mentioned my name because he knows I’ll rip his head off. However, if him and the UFC make that mistake, I’ll take his head off in Miami in April. But I don’t know if he wants it. He knows I’ll break him and make him look bad. I won’t take him down. I’ll strike with him and take him out of this orbit. He’s never mentioned my name, and it’s for a reason. …
“They’re saying he might want to do it, but I’m chilling. If he wants to do it, great, I’ll kill him. If not, Leon Edwards. He and I have history, and it’s time to settle it. He’s not booked, and neither am I. Let’s go, sign the contract, and I’ll break your face.”
McGregor vs. Masvidal: Big UFC business?
Masvidal promises a UFC return in the first half of 2025. It would be his first MMA fight after announcing his retirement from the sport in 2023. Masvidal did compete once in 2024 but in a boxing match against Nate Diaz – a fight he lost by majority decision.
“Gamebred” has been one of the biggest stars in MMA in recent years. Although interested in the fight against Edwards, he ideally would like to fight McGregor, as the two could put on a blockbuster event for the promotion.
“He knows I’m the best pay-per-view draw right behind him,” Masvidal said. “He’s No. 1, and then it’s me in terms of who’s sold the most pay-per-views in recent years. What would a fight between me and him do? That would break all records.
“He’s a b*tch. He’s a b*tch. Plus, he likes to snort cocaine all day. Let’s see if he wants to throw down with a true dog. Training is what I do. I’ll bust my ass to be in the best shape possible. That guy is a clown.”
UFC star Conor McGregor’s sexual assault civil trial appears to be nearing an end after closing arguments were heard Tuesday in Dublin.
The civil lawsuit against UFC star [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag] reached closing arguments Tuesday in Dublin, where attorneys made their final pitches to the jury.
McGregor and another man, James Lawrence, face sexual assault accusations in a lawsuit filed by Nikita Hand, a woman who alleges the two men had sex with her without her consent while she was intoxicated in December 2018.
Hand alleges the incident took place in a hotel after a long night of partying. While criminal charges weren’t fully pursued, Hand filed a civil lawsuit in early 2021.
The trial is expected to resume Wednesday. The judge initially told jurors to expect it to take about two weeks. Wednesday will mark Day 9 of the proceedings.
Conor McGregor finishes testifying
Irish mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor arrives at court, on the day he attends a civil trial on allegations of sexual assault, in Dublin, Ireland November 19, 2024. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne
McGregor’s time on the stand was split across two days, according to numerous reports, including from the Irish Mirror. McGregor has denied the allegations from the start, including a passionate verbal denial during his first day on the stand last Wednesday, during which McGregor called the allegations “lies” and said the situation has instilled fear in him.
On Thursday, McGregor returned to the stand and was cross-examined by Hand attorney John Gordon. McGregor admitted to cocaine use during the hours around the alleged the incident but reaffirmed sex with Hand was consensual and not pre-planned, despite having booked a hotel room.
Gordon questioned McGregor about an initial statement given to Gardai, the Irish authorities, during the investigation and why the UFC star responded “no comment” to an estimated 150 questions. McGregor responded that he was “petrified” and took his lawyers’ advice.
McGregor also denied Hand’s claim that she had a tampon lodged deep inside her during intercourse. A medical worker previously testified forceps were used to remove a tampon during her visit to a local emergency room.
McGregor admitted he paid Lawrence’s legal fees for this case, something Gordon used to claim it was a coordinated effort by the two defendants to make Lawrence a “fall man.”
James Lawrence testifies
Co-defendant James Lawrence arrives at court, on the day of Irish mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor’s civil trial on allegations of sexual assault, in Dublin, Ireland November 19, 2024. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne
Last Thursday, Lawrence spoke publicly on the incident for the first time as he took the stand.
Lawrence denied cocaine use on the night of the incident and said he isn’t a drug user. He detailed how he and Danielle Kealey, Hand’s co-worker who was in the connecting room during the alleged incident, had sex multiple times in one room while he could hear Hand moaning in the other room.
Lawrence added that he could see Hand on top of McGregor through an open door and that there did not appear to be any distress. Lawrence also added Hand entered the room as he and Kealey were getting intimate and cracked a joke toward the two of them.
Lawrence admitted to then having sex with Hand twice, something Hand stated she has no memory of and only found out through local authorities’ investigation. Lawrence claims Hand initiated the intimacy, trying “14, 15 times” to make a move toward him.
According to the Irish Mirror, surveillance footage shows the two in the hotel and elevator displaying public signs of affection. Hand claims she was intoxicated while this was going on and was taken advantage of.
Lawrence said sex with Hand was consensual, and she did not seem distressed, outside of a brief vocal realization that she had betrayed her boyfriend. He said he noticed bruising on Hand, though it was not from him. Lawrence said he and Hand ordered food before he paid for her ride home.
During cross-examination, Lawrence confirmed he was the one to come forth and tell police about his alleged sexual encounter with Hand. This came a couple days after McGregor had given his statement to police.
Closing arguments
Nikita Hand arrives at court, on the day she attends Irish mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor’s civil trial on allegations of sexual assault, in Dublin, Ireland November 19, 2024. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne
Both attorneys had an opportunity to persuade the jury one last time during their closing arguments.
McGregor’s attorney, Remy Farrell, went first and asked the jury to make a decision based on the evidence, not on their personal opinions of McGregor. Farrell repeatedly pointed to Hand’s spotty memory of the events and brought up testimony from Kealey that she had not noticed anything irregular. Farrell also brought up the surveillance footage as contradicting her account of her interactions with Lawrence.
Next, Lawrence attorney John Fitzgerald made his final pitch. He pointed to Lawrence’s “relative obscurity” and disinterest in being in the spotlight. Fitzgerald echoed Lawrence’s denial of being a “fall man” and brought up Kealey and the surveillance footage, as well.
Finally, Hand’s attorney, Gordon, returned and reiterated his client’s allegations that she was forcefully raped. Gordon brought up testimony from medical professionals including paramedic Eithne Scully, who indicated the scene on the ambulance with Hand after the incident was one of the worst she’s ever been on.
Gordon pointed to Dr. Ann Leader’s testimony that Hand suffers from PTSD as a result of the incident. Gordon also brought up the bruising present on Hand and the tampon that was lodged inside her vagina.
Gordon called McGregor a “liar” and said the UFC star and Lawrence made a team effort to have Lawrence take the fall.
Gordon broke down the types of damages his client seeks (general, special, aggravated, and punitive) for the incident and her inability to work due to mental health reasons.
In the statement of claim reported by The New York Times in 2021, Hand seeks damages of $1.79-$2.13 million for lost wages (past and future), a change of homes, and medical expenses.
Check out the latest episode of “Overreaction Time” covering Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic, Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson, and more.
The time for overreacting is here!
Check out the latest episode of “Overreaction Time” at noon ET/9 a.m. PT as host Simon Samano and MMA Junkie reporter Farah Hannoun debate these “overreactions” on the following topics in mixed martial arts:
[autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Stipe Miocic[/autotag] was a meaningless UFC heavyweight title fight.
UFC 309 proved Jon Jones would lose to [autotag]Tom Aspinall[/autotag].
Things are about to get ugly between Jon Jones and [autotag]Dana White[/autotag].
[autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag] should stop acting so desperate to fight [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag].
[autotag]Bo Nickal[/autotag]’s UFC 309 performance was a huge disappointment.
[autotag]Jake Paul [/autotag]vs. [autotag]Mike Tyson[/autotag]: What the hell was that?
The UFC totally redeemed itself with the UFC 310/UFC Tampa shakeup.
Conor McGregor was complimentary of “mad little fellow” Michael Chandler after his UFC 309 loss to Charles Oliveira.
[autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag] has offered his first reaction to long-scheduled opponent [autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag] losing to Charles Oliveira at UFC 309.
Chandler (23-9 MMA, 2-4 UFC) made his return from a two-year layoff for the rematch with Oliveira at UFC 309. He spent all that time healthy, waiting for a matchup with McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) to materialize after they were opposing coaches on Season 31 of “The Ultimate Fighter.”
Following the fight, Chandler got on the microphone in his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan and made a passionate call for McGregor to come back to the octagon and fight him.
McGregor hasn’t seen action since suffering a broken leg in his trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021. He was scheduled to fight Chandler at UFC 303 in July but withdrew on less than three weeks’ notice due to a toe injury.
UFC CEO Dana White was asked about rebooking McGregor vs. Chandler at the UFC 309 post-fight news conference on Saturday but was noncommittal, stating that he expects McGregor won’t fight until late 2025.
“It’s funny to say, ‘Conor McGregor is scared of Jake Paul and will never box him,’ but it’s the f*cking truth.”
IRVING, Texas – It’s become old hat for [autotag]Jake Paul[/autotag] to try and lure UFC star [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag] into a boxing match, so it’s only natural that the YouTuber-turned-professional-prizefighter would use the afterglow of his win over Mike Tyson to do it again.
With manager Nakisa Bidarian by his side during the post-fight news conference, Paul was asked if he’s interested in setting up a fight with McGregor, and the response was almost daring from both men.
“Yeah, he’ll never do that, though,” Paul said, before Bidarian chimed in: “One, he’s under contract. And two, he won’t do that. He knows better.”
Then Paul continued, “And it’s funny to say, ‘Conor McGregor is scared of Jake Paul and will never box him,’ but it’s the f*cking truth. And look at him go toe to toe with Nate Diaz, who was easy work for me. It was like a Monday sparring session to beat Nate Diaz’s ass. He doesn’t ever want this smoke with me. It won’t ever happen.”
To Bidarian’s point, McGregor being under exclusive contract with the UFC would complicate matters, as McGregor would need the UFC’s blessing to compete in a boxing match with Paul, something UFC CEO Dana White has said he’s not inclined to do.
While there’s no telling what could come next for Paul, a fight with McGregor is unlikely.
It appears Conor McGregor’s return will be pushed back even longer than expected.
It appears [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag]’s return will be pushed back even longer than expected.
McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) was expected to make his highly anticipated comeback against Michael Chandler (23-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC) at UFC 303 in June, but a broken pinky toe forced him out of the bout.
Chandler, who had already exercised plenty of patience waiting for McGregor after they filmed Season 31 of “The Ultimate Fighter,” finally decided to move on. He rematches Charles Oliveira (34-10 MMA, 22-10 UFC) in Saturday’s UFC 309 (pay-per-view, ESPNews/Hulu/FX, ESPN+) co-main event at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Chandler may have moved on, but he still has McGregor in his sights. [autotag]Dana White[/autotag] doesn’t rule out the possibility of a McGregor vs. Chandler rebooking, but not anytime soon.
“That’s a fun fight,” White said on “The Jim Rome Show.”. “I think Conor and Chandler both like that fight. When Conor comes back, which I see being sometime the later part of next year, we’ll see where everybody’s at and what’s going on and we’ll figure out who faces Conor. That’s why everybody was so excited about it. Chandler and Conor McGregor is a fun fight.”
With McGregor’s return continuing to be delayed, many question if he’ll ever fight again. Based on his conversations with McGregor, The UFC CEO confirms that “The Notorious” still has the desire to compete – even though it’s been over three years.
“It’s a fact that he does (want to fight next year),” White said. “He and I probably talk four or five times a month. He definitely wants to come back. We’ll just see. Every time I’m on here I tell you: Money – money messes everything up. So we’ll see.”
UFC star Conor McGregor took the stand in Dublin on Wednesday as he faces allegations from a woman who said she was raped by him in 2018.
UFC star [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag] denies sex he had with a woman in late 2018 was anything other than consensual.
As the civil trial for sexual assault rolls on in Dublin, jurors heard from McGregor directly for the first time Wednesday during the sixth day of court proceedings. McGregor vehemently denied sexual assault claims made by Nikita Hand, a woman who said he raped her in a Dublin hotel room.
Hand and McGregor knew each other from afar, but met up in December 2018 after a work costume party Hand attended at a bar, according to trial testimony. The two, as well as McGregor’s friend James Lawrence, and Hand’s co-worker Danielle Kealey did cocaine and went to a hotel room in the early hours of the morning.
That’s where Hand has alleged McGregor forced himself upon her.
Wednesday, McGregor painted a different picture than the one in the lawsuit filed by Hand in January 2021.
McGregor takes the stand
According to multiple reports, McGregor took the stand and detailed his account of the alleged incident.
“I was shocked and frightened beyond belief. The most scared thing I have gone through in my life,” McGregor reportedly said as he talked about when he first heard rumors local authorities may be investigating him, according to The Irish Mirror.
Hand alleged McGregor and Lawrence had sex with her against her will at different points of the day while she was intoxicated on alcohol and cocaine following a late-night, early-morning work party. Lawrence also denies the allegation against him.
While McGregor confirmed his car picked up Hand and her co-worker, Danielle Kealey, as well as Lawrence, to bring the four to a hotel, he disputed many of the other details laid out by Hand.
Hand said McGregor forcefully removed her clothes and inserted himself into her, as she pushed back and bit him, before she eventually gave up.
“Lies and more lies,” McGregor is to have reportedly said about the accusations, per The Irish Mirror.
McGregor said Hand initiated contact that night and became touchy from the first few minutes of seeing him. He also said Hand followed him into the bathroom as he was zipping up his pants and made sexual advances. McGregor said Hand then performed oral sex on him and the two had consensual sex thereafter.
In the five-and-a-half court sessions leading up to McGregor’s testimony Wednesday, various witnesses, including emergency room staff, detectives, and friends, were called to the stand. Many of them affirmed consistency between what Hand told them and what was in the lawsuit.
Hand also sported bruising during multiple independent examinations, though McGregor reportedly said, “I will tell you where she didn’t get [the bruises] from, me.
Hand’s mental health professionals and former employer also confirmed a downswing in productivity and functionality following the alleged incident.
In the statement of claim reported by The New York Times in 2021, Hand seeks damages of $1.79-$2.13 million for lost wages (past and future), a change of homes, and medical expenses.
Kealey ‘surprised’ to hear of alleged incident
Hand’s co-worker Kealey, who was in a connecting hotel room when the alleged sexual assault took place, also spoke for the first time in court Wednesday.
Kealey said she was unsure what exactly went on between McGregor and Hand, but that when Hand emerged, it did not seem like anything was wrong. She denied seeing injuries on Hand.
“Everything was fine and no one was in bad form,” Kealey reportedly said (per BreakingNews.ie). “I didn’t notice anything that happened … I was surprised because I didn’t see anything. I told her I hadn’t seen or heard anything.”
Kealey also admitted to having sex with Lawrence the night of the alleged incident.
What’s next?
McGregor’s evidence will continue Thursday when court resumes.
Judge Alex Owens, who is overseeing the civil trial, indicated to jurors ahead of its start that the entire process should take about two weeks.
Michael Chandler is looking to make up for lost time with “the craziest four- or five-fight run” after UFC 309.
[autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag] is looking to make up for lost time after UFC 309.
Chandler (23-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC) returns for the first time since November 2022 when he rematches Charles Oliveira (34-10 MMA, 22-10 UFC) in the Nov. 16 co-main event at Madison Square Garden in New York.
He spent a year waiting to fight [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag] after filming Season 31 of “The Ultimate Fighter,” and after finally getting a date at UFC 303 in July, the fight was scrapped after McGregor withdrew due to a broken pinky toe.
Chandler decided to move on, but still has McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) in his sights.
“The title is the No. 1 goal, but there is some unfinished business,” Chandler told CBS Sports. “Chandler vs. McGregor, ‘TUF 31,’ that chapter needs to close at some point. Conor wants that fight. He’s talked about it openly in public, in interviews. Obviously I want that fight. I’m not focused on it right now. I’m focused on Charles, but it’ll be interesting.”
Chandler is also eyeing other mega fights in the lightweight division – a title fight with UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev (26-1 MMA, 15-1 UFC), as well as Max Holloway (26-7 MMA, 22-7 UFC), who will now be permanently competing at 155 pounds.
“You’ve also got to remember, Islam is fighting probably in January, could be late January,” Chandler said. “He’s going to go into Ramadan in February, all of March, won’t be able to go training camp til April, won’t be able to fight til June, July.
“I’m not trying to wait til June or July. So Conor could sneak in there. We could see Chandler vs. Oliveira, Chandler vs. Conor, Chandler vs. Islam, Chandler vs. Max – the craziest four- or five-fight run in a 12-month period that anyone’s ever seen.”
Chael Sonnen thinks Ilia Topuria has the potential to become a bigger star than Conor McGregor.
[autotag]Chael Sonnen[/autotag] thinks [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag] has the potential to become a bigger star than [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag].
After knocking out Alexander Volkanovski to claim the featherweight title, Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) became the first fighter to knock out Max Holloway (26-8 MMA, 22-8 UFC) in the UFC 308 main event.
Undefeated Topuria has already amassed millions of followers on social media, and had soccer superstar Sergio Ramos travel to Abu Dhabi to support him for his title fight against Holloway. His rise to stardom has the UFC eyeing a debut event in Spain in 2025.
If Topuria continues his dominance in the octagon, Sonnen says the sky is the limit for “El Matador.”
“He’s got the Prime Minister of Spain watching his fights and having people filming,” Sonnen said on his YouTube channel. “He’s got the biggest actresses, the most successful athletes – which are football (players) in Spain – coming and watching him live.
“The guy never misses. It turns out he’s as good as he said. I mean, it’s going to be a short period – he’s not here now, but it’s a short period of time. At this trajectory, believe this or not, he’s going to pass Conor McGregor.”
As it stands, it will be difficult for any fighter to outdo McGregor’s popularity, as the former UFC dual-champion is responsible for eight out of the UFC’s 10 highest-selling pay-per-views.
