Michael Chandler reacts to conspiracy theories about Conor McGregor's injury against Max Holloway at UFC 329

Michael Chandler has come to the defense of his longtime rival, combat sports icon Conor McGregor, amid a number of conspiracy theories surrounding "The Notorious" one's latest octagon outing. 

Michael Chandler was to be Conor McGregor's comeback opponent at UFC 303, but "Mystic Mac" returned against Max Holloway at UFC 329

Conor McGregor notably suffered a left leg injury against Dustin Poirier in their lightweight clash at UFC 264 back in 2021. 

After recovering from it, McGregor was booked to fight Michael Chandler in a welterweight match at UFC 303 in June 2024, but a toe injury sent him to the sidelines again. 

Finally, McGregor returned against Max Holloway in a welterweight matchup at UFC 329 last Saturday. He'd beaten Holloway by unanimous decision at featherweight back in 2013.

But their rematch saw Holloway win by first-round TKO after McGregor suffered an injury to his right leg after the first strike he threw in the fight.

McGregor was reportedly afflicted by a right knee injury but has promised to undergo surgery, train, and return triumphantly. Also, Holloway called for a trilogy fight against "Mystic Mac." 

Certain sections of the MMA community have since accused McGregor of knowingly fighting with an injury and throwing away the fight at UFC 329.

Some referenced his warm-up training footage, captured backstage at UFC 329, alleging that his repeatedly training jumping/flying kicks on the pads injured him right before the fight.

Others conjectured that he sustained an injury in training camp but allegedly concealed it so as to not jeopardize his high-profile lucrative comeback matchup.

Regardless, none of the allegations have been proven. Many in the combat sports world have come to McGregor's defense, proclaiming his innocence. 

Michael Chandler defends Conor McGregor against conspiracy theories after his UFC 329 injury and defeat

Michael Chandler last fought on June 14, losing via first-round TKO to Brazil's Mauricio Ruffy in their lightweight showdown at UFC Freedom 250.

Chandler vowed to bounce back and even hinted that his next fight could see him move up to the welterweight division.

A few prominent MMA personalities, including ex-UFC middleweight kingpin Israel Adesanya, have named Chandler as the ideal opponent for Conor McGregor if and when the latter returns for the final fight on his current UFC deal. 

Well, Michael Chandler has now taken to his official Instagram handle and hit back at the conspiracy theorists who are accusing McGregor of robbing fight fans of a good fight at UFC 329. 

Chandler stated, "Lot of speculation going on out there. A lot of people disappointed about how the fight went. A lot of conspiracy theories going on out there. I would be absolutely surprised; like, the most surprised man on the planet if Conor just showed up for a paycheck." 

Chandler alluded to one of the ongoing conspiracy theories that McGregor entered UFC 329 with a preexisting leg injury, limped into the octagon despite knowing it'd rob the fans of a good fight, and simply end up losing for a paycheck. "Iron" defended McGregor, asserting that there's no way the legendary Irish fighter would do something of that ilk. 

The American combatant also pointed out how McGregor got a mohawk haircut, as well as went through his iconic fighter introductions and other entrance obligations inside the octagon. He implied that McGregor's efforts surely weren't for naught and actually showed that he was there to give his best. 

The 40-year-old pointed out that McGregor's mistakes and shortcomings have been well-documented over the past 15 years or so, alluding to the challenges the former two-division UFC champion has faced outside the realm of combat sports competition.

He added, however, that "The Notorious" one has consistently proven his integrity and professionalism inside the octagon. Chandler said, "One thing he is not -- he is not a quitter. One thing he is not is a bamboozle." 

Moreover, Chandler seemed to discuss a polarizing conspiracy theory, wherein some of McGregor's detractors have accused him of intentionally throwing the risky jumping/flying kick to further hurt himself right at the start the fight. 

Well, Chandler drew attention to the fact that McGregor has long been known to generally open his fights with flashy striking maneuvers.

The ex-Bellator lightweight champion claimed that while training for his own scheduled fight against McGregor, he was expecting the Dubliner to use such high-risk striking techniques early on. Chandler signaled that, as such, this conspiracy theory also stands null and void. 

The veteran fighter noted, "Conor is not the type of guy to do that. Say what you want about him, but he's a man of honor and integrity when it comes to the confines of competition. When it comes to the confines of competition, the dude would not just show up to take a paycheck." 

"Iron" made an allusion to McGregor's being a multimillionaire businessperson and not even needing the earnings from professional MMA competition, adding that showing up merely for a paycheck doesn't make sense for him. 

Furthermore, Chandler touched upon another important factor at play. He juxtaposed his canceled UFC 303 fight against McGregor from June 2024 with the Irishman's UFC 329 match against Max Holloway. 

Citing that McGregor withdrew from UFC 303 owing to a toe injury, he seemed to underline that it makes absolutely no sense that such a cautious and intelligent person would enter UFC 329 with an allegedly severely compromised leg. 

Watch Michael Chandler's detailed response to the conspiracy theories surrounding Conor McGregor's injury-marred comeback at UFC 329 below: