Michael Chandler and Paddy Pimblett came upon their battle at UFC 314 is getting a bit of additional consideration after Conor McGregor talked about them on social media on Thursday.
The previous two-division UFC champion, who hasn’t competed since struggling a damaged leg in a battle again in 2021, posted “I’m within the Chandler/Pimblett battle this weekend” together with coaching footage that confirmed him working with certainly one of his coaches. Addressing the Twitter put up throughout the UFC 314 pre-fight press convention, Chandler has been there and carried out that after he was connected to a battle in opposition to McGregor for the higher a part of two years following a season spent teaching in opposition to one another on The Final Fighter.
Sadly, the battle by no means really occurred after McGregor broke his toe in coaching, which delayed the scheduled matchup anticipated again in 2024, and the UFC by no means revisited the bout once more.
“I’m positive he’s watching,” Chandler mentioned reacting to McGregor’s message. “He watches and he’s very serious about coming again however can he put collectively a coaching camp? That’s the true query. We don’t know. All I do know is you possibly can see by my actions combating Charles Oliveira in November and now combating 5 months later Paddy Pimblett, placing my rating on the road, going out to courageous the unknown, I’m going to remain lively.
“The primary 26 months within the group, I weighed in six occasions, fought 5 occasions. Battle of the Night time, Battle of the Yr, Debut of the Yr, Knockout of the Yr, all I do is placed on nice fights. I do it for you guys and on Saturday evening, we’re going to do it once more. I don’t actually care what Conor tweets. If he comes again, we’ve received to complete The Final Fighter 31 and he’s going to be impressed by my efficiency on Saturday evening.”
As soon as it was clear that McGregor wasn’t returning in a well timed vogue, Chandler booked the battle in opposition to Oliveira however sadly issues didn’t go his manner. Chandler finally misplaced a unanimous choice however as talked about, he wasted no time accepting the battle in opposition to Pimblett for Saturday’s UFC 314 card from Miami.
As for Pimblett, he appeared comfortable to listen to the information that McGregor is conserving a watchful eye on his battle however he can’t concern himself an excessive amount of with the Irish celebrity.
The matchup in opposition to Chandler is by far the most important alternative of Pimblett’s UFC profession and he can’t even ponder a battle with McGregor till after he wins.
“I seen it clearly, I received despatched it by a very good few folks,” Pimbeltt mentioned about McGregor’s message. “I welcome that battle. That’s the place the cash’s at.
“However I can’t look previous Michael. I’ve received to battle Michael on Saturday evening and get the win right here. That’s all that issues.”
There’s been no concrete indication on when McGregor would possibly battle once more however he continues to tease his comeback and now he’s no less than received Chandler and Pimblett paying consideration forward of their co-main occasion battle at UFC 314.
