The article explores the drama and speculation around the upcoming UFC 303 fight between Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler. It highlights Gilbert Burns' theory that McGregor might be playing mind games inspired by Ryan Garcia, and discusses the impact of McGregor's recent social media posts on fans' concerns.
The highly anticipated UFC 303 showdown between Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler might be in jeopardy. Tensions have risen since the Dublin press conference was called off, leading to rampant speculation about the fight’s status. However, Gilbert Burns, who trains alongside Chandler, believes McGregor might be taking a page from Ryan Garcia's playbook.
Burns, a teammate of Chandler at Kill Cliff FC, suggested that McGregor is adopting Garcia's strategy of mind games. Garcia famously put on a show before his fight with Devin Haney, feigning a mental breakdown and even drinking beer during weigh-ins, only to later reveal it was all a ploy that helped him win. Burns speculates McGregor might be employing a similar tactic.
"I think he's pulling the Ryan Garcia card, 100 percent," Burns said on the "Show Me the Money Podcast."
While Burns’ theory is intriguing, it’s worth noting that McGregor hasn’t been vocal about the fight. With UFC 303 just two weeks away, fans are increasingly anxious, a sentiment heightened by McGregor’s recent Instagram activity. In a now-deleted story, McGregor shared a video discussing the link between resistance training and injury, accompanied by a sad emoji, raising concerns about his readiness.
"I think the more resistance you train with, the less movement and the more injury. But the less resistance you train with, the more movement and the less injury," McGregor stated.
Popular reporter Ariel Helwani recently commented on the situation, noting that optimism about the fight has significantly decreased. With the UFC maintaining silence amidst swirling rumors, the future of the McGregor vs. Chandler bout remains uncertain.
As the clock ticks down to UFC 303, the MMA world is on edge, waiting to see if McGregor and Chandler will indeed face off in the octagon. For more updates on this developing story and to stay informed about UFC 303, follow the link below. Read more about the McGregor vs. Chandler saga.