Michael Bisping believes Conor McGregor will get a title shot if he defeats Michael Chandler.
It was announced on Saturday that McGregor and Chandler are set to coach season 31 of The Ultimate Fighter with the two fighting later this year. It will be a massive fight, and although it is expected to take place at welterweight, Bisping believes if the Irishman wins, he would get a title shot at lightweight.
Michael Bisping on Conor McGregor
“If McGregor gets it done, will we see him fight for the title next? That is a given,” Bisping said on his YouTube channel. “That is 100 percent. Just prepare yourself mentally for that. Regardless of whatever you think, he’s the biggest star in the sport. He’s a former two-weight division champion, and he’s a person that people want to see fight. So, if he goes out there and beats Michael Chandler, who’s one of the top-ranked lightweights on the planet, and he does it in exciting fashion, I’ll be honest, I’d have no problem with him fighting for the belt. McGregor vs. Chandler, I’m excited. Take my money already.”
Although McGregor has lost two straight, he still is the biggest name in the sport, and having him fight for the title is big business. As well, Michael Bisping thinks McGregor could’ve taken easier fights but went after a hard fight in Chandler which is why the former UFC champ thinks the Irishman should get a title shot.
“I respect him for taking this fight,” Bisping said of Conor McGregor. “There were easier fights for him to take. There was a rumor that McGregor was going to go up against Tony Ferguson. Tony Ferguson would’ve been — with respect to Tony — a kind of more winnable fight … It’s a tough fight for McGregor. He’s been away for a while. He’s getting older. He’s been partying a bit. He snapped his leg. He’s got up to 170 [pounds], 185, 205, whatever he weighs. Now, if the fight takes place at 155, he’s gotta lose all that mass. He’s gotta come off all the supplements he’s been taking, he’s gotta get fit, get in shape, and he’s gotta stay focused.”
Conor McGregor (22-6) has lost back-to-back fights to Dustin Poirier while his last win was at UFC 246 with a first-round TKO win over Donald Cerrone.
