UFC commentator Jon Anik has expressed skepticism concerning the long-rumored showdown between Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler at this June’s UFC White Home occasion, suggesting the matchup lacks substance within the light-weight division. On the Jackson Podcast, Anik expressed doubts concerning the pairing, which has been within the works because the two coaches confronted off on Season 31 of The Final Fighter in 2023.
Why do UFC insiders suppose Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler is a waste?
“That battle is of no use to me,” Anik said plainly. “To me, that matchup is not an vital one at light-weight. They’re going to in all probability battle at 170. I’d simply relatively see Conor battle Nate Diaz, Mauricio Luffy, or another person.” This remark The information highlights the widening gulf between what followers count on from McGregor’s return and what some analysts imagine will make sense for a contest at a historic venue just like the White Home South Garden on June 14th.
The McGregor-Chandler saga has spanned a number of years, with rising dissatisfaction on each side. Chandler, now 39, waited till 2023 or 2024 for McGregor to return, however UFC 303 was canceled in June when McGregor broke his pinky finger throughout coaching. The Irish fighter has not competed since shedding to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021, taking him out of motion for greater than 5 years. His solely win throughout that span got here with a 40-second KO of Donald Cerrone at UFC 246 in January 2020.
Chandler’s current type provides additional concern. The previous Bellator champion suffered a TKO loss to Paddy Pimblett in April 2025 and has solely received two of his final seven UFC fights, with notable losses to Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje in recent times. He’s at present not among the many high contenders at light-weight, and a battle with the inactive McGregor will not have a lot of an affect on the division’s rankings.
Annick’s different has respectable enchantment. The trilogy between McGregor and Diaz will conclude their 1-1 file courting again to 2016. The earlier bouts generated large income, with UFC 196 drawing 1.5 million pay-per-view buys on an $8.1 million gate and UFC 202 drawing 1.65 million buys, making it the second-most purchased occasion in UFC historical past. Up-and-coming Brazilian light-weight Mauricio Luffy, who’s ranked 86th with a 12-2 file after one current spherical, represents more energizing matchmaking that might pique curiosity on the light-weight degree.
McGregor has been coaching severely since November 2025, with coach John Kavanagh confirming the fighter is “100 per cent progressing” in the direction of a return. Nevertheless, McGregor stays suspended till March 20, 2026 as a consequence of problems from USADA as a consequence of his failure to endure testing in 2024, and affirmation of the battle is topic to regulatory approval. Dana White has not finalized any matches for the White Home card, and the promotion mentioned it should solely start constructing the occasion in February.
Whereas it stays unclear whether or not McGregor will land towards Chandler, Diaz or one other opponent, Anik’s feedback replicate a rising feeling that the narrative surrounding McGregor’s return could also be extra vital than who will really stand throughout from McGregor when the battle in the end takes place.
