Cormier & Askren Agree On What Chandler Should've Done To Fast-Track McGregor Fight: 'I Did Try To Give Him That Advice...'

Both Daniel Cormier and Ben Askren believe Michael Chandler could be handling the wait for his Conor McGregor fight better. 

Last year, 'The Notorious' and 'Iron' served as coaches on The Ultimate Fighter. The pair were also announced as future opponents. McGregor has not fought since his leg injury back at UFC 264 in July 2021. Chandler, meanwhile, went 1-1 in 2022 in fights against Tony Ferguson and Dustin Poirier. 

Initially expected to fight in 2023, McGregor and Chandler still don't even have an official date for their clash. In that time, unsurprisingly, 'Iron' has grown increasingly frustrated, even with McGregor recently suggesting they'll finally lock horns during International Fight Week. 

"How Long Are You Going To Sit And Wait For This?" - Ben Askren

During a recent discussion on Daniel Cormier's YouTube channel, 'DC' and Ben Askren offered an approach they believe should've taken by now to try and get the fight moving. 

Cormier opined that 'Iron' should play hardball with the Dubliner and essentially tell him to take a hike if he's not going to commit to the fight. 

"I'm of the belief that he needs to tell Conor to kind of kick rocks a little bit, and if you fight me you fight me, if you don't you don't," Cormier said.

Askren agreed, revealing he'd even suggested as much to Chandler. 'Funky' pointed out that 'Iron's prime athletic years are coming to an end, making a long wait all the more daunting in the long run. 

"We don't talk a ton anymore, but I did try to give him that advice a while ago," Askren revealed. "Yeah, like, I mean Michael's not old, not as old as me, I think he said he's 35, 36? Like, he's getting up there, so, how long are you going to sit and wait for this? Is it going to be a year? A year and a half? Two years?"