Daniel Cormier confident Conor McGregor vs. ‘Pinocchio’ Michael Chandler happens at 185 pounds

Daniel Cormier firmly believes that Conor McGregor will make a comeback in the middleweight division.

McGregor, who has a record of 22-6 MMA and 10-4 UFC, made public the news that he will be facing Michael Chandler in June during International Fight Week. The fight will be at 185 pounds, a weight class that both fighters have yet to compete in.

Cormier believes that welterweight division is a more logical choice for both McGregor and Chandler as they have fought in this category in the past. However, he anticipates that McGregor will have his wish granted and be allowed to fight in his preferred weight class.

Cormier made a statement on his ESPN show "DC & RC" about the upcoming fight at 185. He feels that the location of the fight is not appropriate and that it lacks significance when compared to the lightweight category. Despite this viewpoint, Cormier thinks that McGregor is going to dominate Chandler and make him follow his lead. As a result, Chandler may end up fighting in a weight category where he has no experience and feels uncomfortable, but he will do it anyway because he thinks it will benefit him.

Chandler, who has a record of 23-8 MMA with a UFC score of 2-3, has been fighting as a lightweight for most of his career. However, he has expressed his willingness to take on McGregor even if it means competing in a weight class two levels higher than his usual.

I expressed my desire to see you at your most grand, most impressive, and most excellent. Weighing at 185 pounds would make me feel good about myself.

I have repeatedly stated that I desire to have you when you are most impressive, when you are at your peak performance and when you are at your optimal state. A weight of 185 pounds would suit my appearance well.

Remember that this fighter was naturally in the featherweight division and began their UFC journey by fighting carefully chosen opponents who were in the bantamweight class.

Remember the fact that he was a natural featherweight who began his UFC journey by fighting carefully chosen bantamweights.

The tweet from Michael Chandler was posted on December 31st, 2023.

Cormier desires Chandler to display more resistance and not consent to every statement made by McGregor.

In my opinion, this situation is similar to a game. Conor McGregor seems to be controlling everything, while Michael Chandler is too easily influenced. I believe McGregor is manipulating Chandler, like a puppetmaster, and it's concerning to me because I really admire Chandler. It's like Chandler is Pinocchio, and McGregor is pulling all the strings. McGregor needs to ease up because he's going too far.

The article was first published on MMA Junkie's blog.