Islam Makhachev has joked about the cancellation of Conor McGregor’s UFC 303 fight against Michael Chandler. Recently, McGregor posted a photo and X-ray of his fractured pinky finger, leading some fans to question the seriousness of the injury.
Strong Criticism of Makhachev
Taking to social media, Makhachev mocked McGregor for calling the fight due to what he considered a minor injury. “You don’t need a pinky thumb to fight lol. Chicken,” the Dagestani fighter tweeted, openly mocking McGregor’s decision.
A Dig at Michael Chandler
Makhachev did not move. He extended his beating to Michael Chandler who now faces another delay in his highly anticipated fight against McGregor. “And my condolences to Michael ‘Hachiko’ Chandler,” Makhachev tweeted, comparing Chandler to Hachiko, a faithful dog who waits daily for his dead owner at a Japanese train station
The Illustration of the Hachi
Hachiko’s comment was a pointed jab. Just as the dog was never reunited with its owner, Makhachev suggested Chandler would never get to fight McGregor. This pessimistic outlook underscores the uncertainty surrounding the bout, which is exacerbated by McGregor’s multiple delays and cancellations.
Makhachev Interested in Fighting McGregor
Makhachev has his reasons for wanting to fight McGregor. Before his UFC 302 win against Dustin Poirier, Makhachev said he “had to be an idiot and say no” to fight McGregor. The reason is simple: money. Despite McGregor’s three-year absence from the Octagon and his declining career, a fight with him promises to be very rewarding.
McGregor is one of the most famous figures in mixed martial arts. The fight against him may be the biggest fight of Makhachev’s career, both in terms of finances and visibility. It will also add a high-profile reputation to Makhachev’s resume, potentially raising his standing in the game.
Possible UFC Plans
Currently, Makhachev is set to fight #1 contender Arman Tsarukyan, although the bout has not yet been officially announced. This makes the UFC reconsider and perhaps consider and entertain a McGregor-Makhachev fight. Given the potential for commercial success of such a competition, Dana White might be open to suggestions.
Chandler’s Uncertain Future
Michael Chandler’s future remains uncertain as he waits for McGregor to recover. While many fans are urging him to go ahead and fight other opponents, the promise of a big paycheck links him to the prospect of fighting McGregor. Chandler’s last fight, a loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 281, earned him $554,000. His previous fight against Tony Ferguson at UFC 274 made more than $100,000 after factoring in base salary and bonuses.
Assuming McGregor’s claims are true, Chandler stands to make around $5 million for his fight against the Irishman. This figure dwarfs his income from other fights and affects his potential pay-per-view. For Chandler, the financial incentive to wait out McGregor is great, although there are risks of further delays.
The drama surrounding McGregor’s injury and subsequent cancellation of his fight with Chandler has added another chapter to the ongoing saga. Harsh criticism and beatings for Makhachev only fueled the fire. As Chandler navigates this period of uncertainty, the stakes are higher than ever, and potential financial rewards hang in the balance. Whether he and McGregor will ever have a highly anticipated fight remains to be seen.
