There are still some questions on why Conor McGregor wants to fight Michael Chandler at 185. Nonetheless, the American believes the opponent’s decision is a way to convince the MMA world he has a “big mystique.”

McGregor announced before New Year’s Day that he would fight Chandler on June 29 in Las Vegas. One of the biggest details that surprised many is the decision of the Irish to have the fight in middleweight, a division both of them haven’t tried yet. Analysts expressed doubt over the matter, with Michael Bisping telling McGregor that 185 is “not his optimal weight class.” With this, many were prompted to question it. 

Chandler, nonetheless, stressed that he didn’t care whatever class weight they would be fighting in. Yet, “Iron” shared his thoughts about the choice of “The Notorious,” saying the opponent is just trying to build a better image.

“I would definitely fight him at 185 pounds. If you look at how the whole thing played out, I like to say Conor wouldn’t want it to be at 155 because he wants everybody to believe he’s bigger than he actually is,” Chandler told TMZ Sports. “That’s the aura of Conor; bigger than he actually is to build this big mystique, right?”

Aside from that, the American believes McGregor is trying to preserve his ego by making him the one who would follow the Irish’s demand.

“…It’s tough for him to say 170 because, if you remember, I was the guy who called him out at 170, so therefore I’m not ‘the guy who does what he’s told’, I’m ‘the guy who got what I wanted’, right?” Chandler added. “Just like the opening scene of The Ultimate Fighter, he walked in and said, ‘Have I told you what weight it’s gonna be?’ … But man, I’m cool with whatever weight. The way I see it is Conor and I are within a couple of pounds of each other, so it doesn’t matter.”

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