Michael Chandler caused quite the stir with his appearance on WWE Monday Night Raw in Anaheim, Calif., where ring announcer Samantha Irvin introduced the UFC standout to deliver a scintillating promo calling for Conor McGregor to get back in the octagon so they can finally fight.
“What’s up, Anaheim?!? You are now in the presence of the most entertaining UFC fighter on the planet!” Chandler yelled into the microphone. “Hey, now there’s a man from Ireland who’s been making me wait way too long, and I still have got one dude on my mind. Conor McGregor, get your candy ass back to the octagon! We’ve got some unfinished business, boys! God bless, and I’ll see you at the top!”
Look who it is on #WWERaw!@MikeChandlerMMA just cut a promo calling for @TheNotoriousMMA 🤬
(🎥: @SJSamano) pic.twitter.com/NnAPiyrUWX
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) February 20, 2024
And with that TKO cross promotion, MMA and pro wrestling fans were left to wonder: What was that all about?
McGregor and Chandler have been on a collision course ever since they coached Season 31 of “The Ultimate Fighter” last year. The show finished airing in August, and a fight was expected shortly thereafter, but for one reason or another we’re still waiting. And we can’t seem to get a straight answer from Dana White as to why.
With UFC and WWE merged together as TKO, Chandler’s appearance and callout shouldn’t come as a surprise, although this type of thing is still very new. The fact that Chandler’s promo was shot with the WrestleMania 40 sign framed over his shoulder wasn’t lost on MMA and pro wrestling fans. And it got people wondering about the possibility of the fight (or something related) happening on April 6 or 7 in Philadelphia – with mixed feelings about it.
So, if we can’t get Conor x Chandler at 300, can we get it a week before at WM 40?
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) February 20, 2024
I’m with @nicktylwalk: Just put the fight on at #WrestleMania. At this point, why the hell not?!? https://t.co/3nnIAlk9Dh
— Simon Samano (@SJSamano) February 20, 2024
I have just about as much interest seeing an MMA fight at WrestleMania as MMA fans have of seeing a pro wrestling match at UFC 300.
— Ian Henry (@ZombieJesus198) February 20, 2024
Michael Chandler calling out Connor McGregor in front of the WrestleMania sign is genius 🤣. TKO is here ladies and gentlemen #WWERaw pic.twitter.com/t3NSiD68Xg
— That’s Freakin’ Wrestling Podcast (@ThatsFNW) February 20, 2024
Holy crap. They’re aren’t going to put a legit McGregor vs. Chandler UFC fight on WrestleMania… are they??? 🤯 pic.twitter.com/1tiHm9Q2Qd
— Chris Blec (@ChrisBlec) February 20, 2024
Chandler vs McGregor at Wrestlemania. Give the people what they want
— J$ (@mcnastymma) February 20, 2024
So Mike Chandler called out Connor McGregor on #RAW and the shot had the #WrestleMania sign in the background…
Will we see that match there? pic.twitter.com/7TdzKV3nJS
— Plain Jane Wrestling News (@PJWNews) February 20, 2024
Micheal Chandler vs Conor Mcgregor at Wrestlemania makes more sense than in UFC at this point
pic.twitter.com/ihn3t4Rits— ᴍᴍᴀ ᴍᴀʀᴄᴜs 🏝️ (@mmamarcuss) February 20, 2024
That #Wrestlemania sign felt strategically placed behind Michael Chandler when he called out Conor McGregor…🤔#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/eDWX2mjrGr
— Justin Valentine 🎙️ (@JVAroundTheRing) February 20, 2024
Chandler vs McGregor at WrestleMania in an octagon makes no sense but I kinda like it https://t.co/SKNC5RRk9o
— Hold The Mayo (@snowlikejonn) February 20, 2024
