Conor McGregor always feels one win away from a title shot.

“The Notorious” former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion hasn’t fought since July 2021 when suffering a nasty broken leg opposite Dustin Poirier. Seemingly all healed up and good to go, McGregor’s return is set for the second half of 2023, coming at the conclusion of The Ultimate Fighter 31’s finale.

Standing across from McGregor will be one-time UFC title challenger and three-time Bellator lightweight titleholder Michael Chandler. While both enter the bout on losses, Michael Bisping believes a title shot for either fan favorite is in the cards.

“If McGregor gets it done, will we see him fight for the title next? That is a given,” Bisping said on his YouTube channel. “That is 100 percent. Just prepare yourself mentally for that. Regardless of whatever you think, he’s the biggest star in the sport. He’s a former two-weight division champion, and he’s a person that people want to see fight.

“So, if he goes out there and beats Michael Chandler, who’s one of the top-ranked lightweights on the planet, and he does it in exciting fashion, I’ll be honest, I’d have no problem with him fighting for the belt. McGregor vs. Chandler, I’m excited. Take my money already.”

Chandler has been targeting a McGregor showdown since his arrival in the promotion in Jan. 2021, whether at 155 or 170 pounds. It looked like “Iron” was again out of luck as just a few weeks ago, his past foe Tony Ferguson was the one most linked to being McGregor’s next dance partner.

In terms of danger and current divisional status, Chandler outweighs Ferguson at this stage and is on the list of people to set “El Cucuy” back. Ferguson is currently riding a five-fight losing streak and because of his believed decline, the former middleweight champ in Bisping can’t help but heap praise onto the Irishman for any say he may have had in the matchmaking.

“I respect him for taking this fight,” Bisping said of McGregor. “There were easier fights for him to take. There was a rumor that McGregor was going to go up against Tony Ferguson.

“Tony Ferguson would’ve been — with respect to Tony — a kind of more winnable fight … It’s a tough fight for McGregor. He’s been away for a while. He’s getting older. He’s been partying a bit. He snapped his leg. He’s got up to 170 [pounds], 185, 205, whatever he weighs. Now, if the fight takes place at 155, he’s gotta lose all that mass. He’s gotta come off all the supplements he’s been taking, he’s gotta get fit, get in shape, and he’s gotta stay focused.”

There is no official date for McGregor vs. Chandler as of yet. McGregor still needs to re-enter the USADA testing pool after exiting in 2022.

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TOP STORIES

Clarity. Ryan Bader scoffs at disclosed Bellator 290 pay, says he makes ‘8, 9 times more’ than he did in UFC

Reflection. Dana White: Fedor Emelianenko not ‘one of the greatest of all-time,’ should have retired ‘a few years ago’

Hopeful. Michael Chandler believes Conor McGregor fight could earn 2 million PPV buys: ‘It’s very achievable’

Promotion. Jorge Masvidal‘s Gamebred Boxing 4 event on April 1 headlined by Anthony Pettis vs. Roy Jones Jr., also features Jose Aldo, Vitor Belfort

Comeback. Chris Weidman targets summer UFC return: ‘I’m coming back to try and get back what is mine’

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VIDEO STEW

The MMA Hour.

UFC 284 Embedded 1.

Michael Chandler on Islam Makhachev vs. Alexander Volkanovski.

Conor McGregor’s perfect opponent?

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SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE

This guy is just too good.

Who?

Lunge.

He hit him with a Lincoln.

It’s true. I was there.

History.

Birthday time.

So Fremdly.

LA.

Growth.

Down under.

Just dance.

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FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Abubakar Nurmagomedov (17-3-1) vs. Carlston Harris (17-5); UFC Vegas 71, March 11

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FINAL THOUGHTS

I sure hope Bisping is wrong, but you have to imagine that he’s probably right. It would be too hard for the UFC to resist.

Thanks for reading!

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POLL POSITION

Last Week’s Results:

Friday: 56% of 475 total votes answered “Jiri Prochazka” when asked, “Who is Jon Jones’ biggest threat at 205 pounds?”

Thursday: 55% of 471 total votes answered “Derrick Lewis” when asked, “Who wins?” Sergey Spivac def. Lewis via first-round submission (arm-triangle choke) in UFC Vegas 68‘s main event.

Wednesday: 42% of 771 total votes answered “Tony Ferguson” when asked, “Who would be the more entertaining fighter for Conor McGregor to coach The Ultimate Fighter against?” Michael Chandler was recently announced as McGregor’s next opponent and rival coach on TUF 31.

Tuesday: 47% of 392 total votes answered “Lower” when asked, “Where does Jake Paul rank amongst all-time great combat sports marketers and promoters?”

Monday: 71% of 642 total votes answered “No” when asked, “Will Raul Rosas Jr. win a UFC title?”

Today’s exit poll:

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If you find something you’d like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @DrakeRiggs_ on Twitter and let him know about it. Also follow MMAFighting on Instagram and like us on Facebook.