UFC: Michael Chandler Shares Theory On Why Conor McGregor Wants To Fight At Middleweight

Chandler thinks he knows why McGregor wants to fight him at 185 pounds.

Michael Chandler believes he knows why Conor McGregor insists that they fight at middleweight.

McGregor shocked MMA fans with his announcement video just before New Year's Day. The former two-division UFC champion claimed he would be fighting Chandler on June 29 in Las Vegas. While that part of the announcement wasn't too surprising, McGregor delivered a bombshell by claiming the fight would be contested at 185 pounds.

UFC 300: Daniel Cormier Wants Major Attraction For Historic Event: "You Need Something A Little More Than Just Title Fights"

During season 31 of "The Ultimate Fighter," Conor McGregor suggested to Michael Chandler that they fight at middleweight. Chandler said if he wants to do 185, he'd do it. McGregor responded by telling "Iron" that he will do what he's told.

In a new video posted on his YouTube channel, Michael Chandler shared his take on why Conor McGregor wants their fight to be at 185 pounds:

"You gotta remember UFC 294 I kicked Tony Ferguson's head clean off and I got on the microphone, called out Conor and said, 'but I wanna up the stakes, I wanna fight you at your biggest, your baddest, and your best. I wanna fight you at 170.' So, naturally, Conor can't say the fight's at 155 because he wants you guys to think that he's too big to make 155, which is not true. And he also can't say it's at 170 because that would mean that he's not in control because I originally called the fight at welterweight at 170. So, naturally he says 185."

The UFC has yet to make McGregor vs. Chandler official. With that said, Chandler has mentioned both on social media and through interviews that he has no problem meeting McGregor one-on-one at 185 pounds.

If you use any quotes from this article, please leave an H/T to MMAKnockout.com for the transcription.

Stick with MMA Knockout for more daily coverage of the UFC and MMA.

Follow MMA Knockout on Twitter and Facebook.