TLDR
- Dustin Poirier called the Michael Chandler fight a ‘layup’ for Conor McGregor’s comeback
- Poirier believes McGregor would have easily beaten Chandler in a matchup
- The fight between McGregor and Chandler appears unlikely to happen now
- McGregor has not fought since breaking his leg against Poirier in July 2021
- Poirier thinks McGregor may have missed his best opportunity for an easy comeback win
Sources: MMA Fighting | BJPenn.com
Dustin Poirier has shared his thoughts on what could have been an easy comeback fight for Conor McGregor. The former interim lightweight champion said Michael Chandler would have been the perfect opponent for McGregor to return against.
Poirier described the potential matchup as “just a layup for Conor.” He believes McGregor would have had little trouble defeating Chandler if the two had faced off in the octagon.
The Louisiana native’s comments come as the long-discussed fight between McGregor and Chandler appears less likely to happen. Chandler had been waiting for McGregor for an extended period, turning down other fights in hopes of landing the big-money matchup.
McGregor’s Long Road Back
McGregor has not competed since July 2021 when he suffered a severe leg injury in his trilogy fight against Poirier. The former two-division champion broke his tibia in the final seconds of the first round at UFC 264.
The Irishman has spent the past few years recovering from the injury and dealing with various issues outside the cage. Chandler publicly stated he was willing to wait for McGregor, hoping to secure what would be the biggest payday of his career.
Dustin Poirier picks Conor in a potential matchup against Chandler. 👀
Source, Bloody Elbow: https://t.co/K0Iiun1Yyl pic.twitter.com/uyHV7EjOjO
— MMA On Point (@mmaonpoint) January 11, 2023
Poirier’s assessment suggests that Chandler’s fighting style would have played into McGregor’s strengths. The matchup would have given McGregor a favorable opponent to shake off ring rust and rebuild momentum.
However, Poirier now believes that opportunity may have passed. He thinks McGregor has lost what would have been his easiest path back to winning form in the UFC.
Chandler Moves On
Chandler recently ended his wait for McGregor and accepted a fight against Charles Oliveira. The rematch is scheduled to take place, giving Chandler a chance at redemption after losing to Oliveira in 2021.
The former Bellator champion had been on the sidelines for nearly two years waiting for the McGregor fight. His decision to move forward with other opportunities means the McGregor matchup is now unlikely.
Poirier knows both fighters well, having faced each of them inside the octagon. He defeated McGregor twice in their last two meetings, including the fight where McGregor broke his leg.
The 35-year-old has also competed against Chandler, giving him insight into both men’s fighting styles. His opinion carries weight given his direct experience with both fighters.
McGregor’s future in the UFC remains unclear as he continues to deal with personal and legal matters. The former champion has teased multiple comeback dates over the past year but has not committed to a specific return.
Poirier’s comments highlight what many in the MMA community believe was a missed opportunity for McGregor. A fight against Chandler could have provided the perfect platform for a successful return to competition.
The question now is whether McGregor will find another favorable matchup for his comeback. According to Poirier, he may have already let his best option slip away when Chandler decided to move on to other fights.
