Michael Chandler reckons a scrap with Conor McGregor would be a real thriller - as he targets a lucrative clash with the former two-weight UFC champion.
35-year-old Chandler exploded onto the UFC scene with a debut first-round KO of Dan Hooker on a McGregor-Poirier undercard last January but was beaten by Charles Oliveira in a lightweight title tilt back in May.
American Chandler is preparing to face Justin Gaethje in a week's time and has been talking up a potential scrap with 'The Notorious' in the build-up.
He told Helen Yee Sports: "I mean, Conor, you know, hope he heals up pretty well.
"But yeah, there’s a lot of people that have talked about me and Conor fighting for a very long time.
"I do think it will be one of the most electrifying, especially first rounds, ever.
"We will both come in 100 miles-an-hour and see who gets that win. But, you know, we’ll see. I hope that fight happens sometime.”
33-year-old Dubliner McGregor is edging closer to full fitness after fracturing his tibia in a loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 back in July.
Back in Ireland after spending time in Italy and America, McGregor is looking to get his UFC career back on track after two successive losses to Poirier.
And McGregor will watch from the sidelines as Poirier challenges for the 155lbs title against champion Charles Oliveira on December 11.
A grudge match with Poirier could be McGregor's next move, but there is also the possibility of a money-spinning boxing bout with Jake Paul, or even a keenly anticipated trilogy fight with Nate Diaz.
Posting a long workout video on his Instagram today, McGregor looked in great shape as he closes in on a comeback.
He wrote: "First time back on the pads! What a buzz! Let’s go team @mcgregorfast!
“Like my good friend @schwarzenegger says, ‘I’ll be back, b*****s!’ Back with a vengeance!
“Thank you to all my doctors and my team for getting me this far so soon after surgery! There is work to be done but doing work is what I’m known for.
“Strap yourselves in for the greatest comeback in sports history! #champchampppvbillionaireking”
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