Chel Sonnen just isn’t satisfied Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler will meet in 2026. McGregor and Chandler have each confirmed on social media that they may combat when the UFC heads to the South Garden of the White Home subsequent yr, however the promotion has not confirmed the identical, with CEO Dana White beforehand saying that planning for the White Home card combat lineup will start in February.
Chandler believes the combat will happen and has additionally revealed that McGregor introduced in a coaching associate to duplicate Chandler’s preventing fashion, so “Iron” believes the combat is for certain. The Dubliner has dedicated to dwelling within the fitness center, becoming a member of check swimming pools and is reportedly set to enter a six-month combat camp forward of his long-awaited return to the UFC.
Why is not Chel Sonnen happy with Conor McGregor’s return?
Chel Sonnen just isn’t satisfied Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler will meet in 2026. Sonnen defined why in a latest YouTube video.
Regardless of being impressed by McGregor’s newest coaching footage and believing McGregor nonetheless has pace even after making weight, the UFC Corridor of Famer is not seeking to purchase a return in 2026. Martial artists who discover it particularly tough to make weight usually retire earlier than stepping on the size. Sonnen thinks it is going to be tough for McGregor to make weight, and what makes the scenario even worse for McGregor is that the UFC will probably desire a five-round combat to “earn some enjoying time” from its largest star.
Though “The Infamous” is in coaching, Sonnen believes that importing coaching clips or self-promotion just isn’t a very good signal. As a result of if he lastly fights subsequent yr, the UFC will certainly promote him with higher footage and clips.
Sonnen says Conor McGregor needs to “preserve alive” his “picture” as a fighter and that whereas the Dubliner is a combat promoter, pub proprietor and lots of different jobs, he’s a fighter first. Due to this fact, conserving that picture alive is a very powerful factor. For if it dies, he too will perish. But it surely’s not a very good signal that he is making an attempt to keep up his picture as a fighter solely on his personal.
Mr. Sonnen mentioned:
“Conor, that picture is a fighter. He is not an actor, he isn’t a pub proprietor, he isn’t a bare-knuckle promoter, he is a fighter. Conor’s picture. And if that picture dies, so are you able to…If you happen to’re Conor and that picture You do not have to stream your coaching movies sideways out of your iPhone in a dingy storage at 2 a.m. if it’s important to preserve it alive.The UFC goes to place out a gorgeous, well-promoted video, and they’ll do it on video for a number of months. ”
The 48-year-old additionally added that he was not happy with Conor McGregor’s return.
“The place does Conor go after he wins in opposition to Chandler? The place does he go? It isn’t a match that they often have. I assumed Conor appeared good. He actually did. You possibly can’t look good even in a 20-second clip with out another exhausting work. I do not suppose so. And his muscle tissues appeared nice. I feel he is most likely somewhat extra athletic than we understand. I am not satisfied. ”
Take a look at Chel Sonnen’s feedback on Conor McGregor beneath (9:40, 12:07):
