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Daniel Cormier suggests Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler for inaugural 165-pound UFC title

Originally posted on 5 GOATs | By Nick Kosko | Last updated 4/23/24

Daniel Cormier has a new idea for Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler: fight for a new 165-pound UFC title.

Both fighters are considered lightweights at this point of their careers. McGregor is a former lightweight UFC champion while Chandler won the belt in Bellator before coming over to the UFC and starring in many exciting fights.

McGregor and Chandler finally have a date and will fight on June 29th to headline UFC 303 at 170 pounds (welterweight). But Cormier said this is the right time to finally introduce a new division.

“I believe that if they’re going to do a 165-pound division, it should have a name attached to the weight class that is so big that it draws people’s attention,” Cormier said on his show. “Conor McGregor being that name. Michael Chandler, on the other hand, will benefit from being in the right place at the right time, where these guys would then fight for the super lightweight championship of the world, because that’s what I believe it is.

“Because it’s only 10 pounds heavier than 155, so let’s call it the super lightweight division. Move 170 to 175, move 185 to 195, keep 205, [keep] heavyweight.”

Finally fighting McGregor, Chandler seems to be on board with the wild idea.

165 https://t.co/jPqqE8pFB2
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) April 23, 2024

Of course, UFC president Dana White has given no indication that the UFC will add a new weight class at 165 pounds, although it’s been pondered by fans and pundits.

Cormier’s Good Guy/Bad Guy co-host Chael Sonnen, a newly minted UFC Hall of Famer, disagrees with 165.

“There is no need for a 165-pound title, for one,” Sonnen said. “Part two, the commission does not sanction 165-pound fights. Part three, the UFC does not contest a 165-pound division. Part four, these guys [McGregor and Chandler] combined are coming off of more losses than I have had in my entire career.

“So if anybody’s coming back to fight for a mythical belt, it will be yours truly.”

McGregor and Chandler squared off as coaches on The Ultimate Fighter last summer and were anticipated for a fight at some point in 2023. But due to McGregor’s recovery from a broken leg in his third fight with Dustin Poirier, there was no timetable for a return.

That was back in 2021 and McGregor left Chandler waiting and waiting. Not to mention McGregor starred alongside Jake Gyllenhaal in a reimagining of Road House.

For now, fans will just have to settle for the return of McGregor as he takes on Chandler in two months.

This article first appeared on 5 GOATs and was syndicated with permission.

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