Chel Sonnen has outlined why Conor McGregor will stay the preferred man within the UFC heading into 2026 regardless of being out of motion for practically 5 years.
Though ‘The Infamous’ has expressed curiosity in preventing on the UFC White Home card and is doing the whole lot he can to return on June 14th of this 12 months, Sonnen believes the Irishman is more than likely to retire.
In accordance with Sonnen, McGregor retired the day he withdrew from his combat towards Michael Chandler at UFC 303 in 2024. The UFC Corridor of Famer nonetheless maintains the identical stance.
In his view, McGregor is advertising and marketing himself to maintain the picture of a fighter alive, and he is aware of that when the picture fades, that individual will observe. So despite the fact that The Infamous has been releasing coaching footage and different footage to let followers know the way excited he’s to return and face Chandler, Sonnen stays unconvinced.
However the 48-year-old believes McGregor would be the No. 1 fighter in 2026, regardless of not having thrown a punch in years.
The UFC Corridor of Famer says Conor has one thing extra valuable than a UFC belt: a “frequent mission.”
“My larger level isn’t the facility or implied energy that Conor wields, however Conor has the best factor you’ll be able to have on this sport, which is the mass mandate. It is way more vital than having the belt. On this subject, it is way more vital than a million-dollar payday or the primary occasion or the back-end participation. When you might have the mass mandate as a byproduct, I imply, just by default, you are going to get the primary occasion, the title alternative, the back-end” factors and participation. ”
Take a look at Chael Sonnen’s feedback beneath (2:40):
Michael Chandler confirms combat with Conor McGregor
In accordance with Michael Chandler, he and Conor McGregor will combat on the UFC White Home card. ‘Iron’ beforehand stated ‘The Infamous’ had been bringing gamers to coaching camp to emulate Chandler’s model and the combat was over. Each gamers verbally acknowledged the match.
Chandler not too long ago stated on the CBS NYE broadcast.
“Definitely, someday this summer time, we will give Conor McGregor a very good old school one and scream it out on the South Garden of the White Home. That is the plan.”
Take a look at Michael Chandler’s feedback beneath.
