Grant Dawson Will be “Shocked” if Conor McGregor Fights Michael Chandler in 2023
By FCF Staff
Promotions for the 30th season of “The Ultimate Fighter” and a planned fight between Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler are well underway. But, recently Grant Dawson outlined why he’ll be stunned if the fight actually goes down.
McGregor and Chandler were the coaches for TUF 30, which will premiere on May 30th. The fighters are expected to fight later this year; however, no date has been set.
If and when McGregor returns to the Octagon, it will mark the first time the controversial star has competed since July, 2021, when he snapped his leg in a bout with Dustin Poirier.
Recently, Dawson spoke with MMA Junkie, and while discussing the highly anticipated fight, he outlined why he doubts it will happen.
“I’m telling you right now that the Michael Chandler and Conor McGregor fight is not going to happen,” Dawson said. “That is not happening. I would be shocked if that fight happens this year or at all.”
“Man, he’s not in the testing pool,” Dawson added. “He has to be in the testing pool for six months.”
The former featherweight and lightweight champ ended up leaving the USADA testing pool, as he recovered from his broken leg.
When asked about the fact Brock Lesnar was allowed to return to the UFC in 2016, without being in the testing pool for six months, Dawson noted that the times have changed. Lesnar ultimately tested positive for banned substances following his bout with Mark Hunt.
“…USADA was a lot newer. A lot of people have their eyes on it right now. A lot of people are going to be saying, ‘Hey, he needs to be in the testing pool…’
“He’s not going to be in the testing pool. He thought he could go the Brock Lesnar way, and he’s realizing he can’t. He was at bareknuckle (BKFC 41 event). Did you see him at bareknuckle pulling that stunt? That was a stunt. He’s trying to get past the rules, and it’s not going to happen. USADA is not going to budge on their decision. It’s going to be six months, and that fight is not happening this year…”
Since McGregor’s last Octagon appearance, which was at lightweight, the decorated fighter has repeatedly talked about competing at welterweight moving forward. McGregor has never tested positive for banned substances.