UFC Odds: Conor McGregor Is Close Favorite Over Michael Chandler Ahead Of UFC Return
Conor McGregor turned the MMA world upside down when he revealed he would return to the Octagon against Michael Chandler in June at middleweight.
In doing so, Las Vegas oddsmakers have already started due diligence and released the opening line on the McGregor-Chandler bout, targeted for International Fight Week at a to-be-determined numbered UFC pay-per-view event.
According to Action Network and confirmed by DraftKings Sportsbook, McGregor, 35, opened as a -115 favorite to beat Chandler, who comes in at -105.
McGregor's eventual return will mark a nearly three-year layoff for the UFC's original double-champion, who has lost three of his last four MMA fights since knocking out Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205 in 2016.
McGregor's last two outings have come against Dustin Poirier, who defeated "The Notorious" in back-to-back fights while concurrently winning the series.
McGregor suffered a gruesome leg break, which included a fractured tibia and fibula, in his UFC 264 loss to Poirier.
During McGregor's holdout, which has come with frustrations surrounding USADA and his willingness to still compete against the best, he appeared as a coach opposite Chandler on TUF 31 in May of 2023.
Despite McGregor's team failing to get the better of Chandler's, as it lost all but one fight during the 10-week ordeal, the Irishman showcased the charismatic persona many fans have come to know him for.
McGregor's return to MMA will mark his 11th year competing under the UFC banner. A meteoric rise, including victories against Max Holloway, Dennis Siver, and Chad Mendes, helped propel him to a Dec. 2015 title shot against then-featherweight champion Jose Aldo, where 13 seconds is all it took to become a world champion.
McGregor also tried his hand at boxing against the sport's best, holding his own against Floyd Mayweather Jr. in Aug. 2017. Unfortunately for MMA fans, boxing got the last laugh, as Mayweather stopped McGregor by TKO in Round 10.
This will be McGregor's first test at middleweight in the UFC, while Chandler, most notably known for his run in Bellator MMA, has competed in lightweight throughout his career.
The fight has yet to be confirmed by the UFC, but as developments with the two mega-stars play out, the MMA world awaits to see what's coming.
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