Conor McGregor (left) and Michael Chandler (image via UFC/YouTube)

By FCF Staff

Some believe Conor McGregor is in a must-win situation at UFC 303. But, the man who will face him, Michael Chandler, also concedes he’s under considerable pressure to defeat the polarizing star.

After months of speculation regarding if and when McGregor and Chandler will fight, recently, it was announced the two will battle on June 29th. Since McGregor hasn’t competed since he broke his leg during a rubber match with Dustin Poirier in 2021, and because he hasn’t won a bout since 2020, many have argued the star’s best days are behind him.

But, it’s because a loss for McGregor will spike talk about the decorated fighter’s retirement, Chandler says he’s also in dire need of a win  (quotes via MMA Fighting).

“I can’t lose to the guy that’s been out for three years,” Chandler said while appearing on “The MMA Hour”. “I can’t lose to the guy who’s been written off. I can’t lose to the guy who gave up and he’s sleeping on silk sheets on his Lamborghini yacht. I can’t lose to that guy. So there’s a lot of pressure going on.”

Chandler (23-8), who is also coming off a loss to Poirier, also believes UFC 303 could mark the last time McGregor competes.

“I’ve said — and I’ve gone on record now saying — everybody has to buy this pay-per-view, because one of two things is going to happen,” Chandler said. “Conor succeeds in coming back and it being the greatest comeback in combat sports history, he gets a win and he’s back on the horse. He’s back in the win column and he’s probably fighting a huge, huge fight, whether it’s the ‘BMF’ belt, whether it’s the lightweight title, whether it’s the welterweight title, it’s something. That’s scenario one.

“The most likely scenario is I go out there and absolutely dismantle him and it might be the last time we ever see Conor fight.”

Prior to his submission loss to Poirier in November, 2022, the 37-year-old Chandler knocked Tony Ferguson out in May, 2022.

McGregor (22-6) is coming off back-to-back losses to Poirier, which followed his quick, stoppage win over Donald Cerrone in 2020.

UFC 303 will be hosted by the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.