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Conor McGregor hasn't defeated a ranked lightweight since 2016. The last 155'er to taste defeat against 'The Notorious' was Eddie Alvarez, who is no longer a UFC fighter and has only won once in his last seven fights. The Irishman's last win, regardless of weight class, came against Donald Cerrone.
Unfortunately, 'Cowboy' was on a two-fight losing streak when he faced the former two-division UFC champion. After their clash, 'Cowboy's' winless streak extended, forcing the former action fighter to retire from MMA with no wins in the last seven fights of his career. Thus, the strength of McGregor's recent wins is questionable.
This has caused fans to doubt whether the Irishman is still an elite-level fighter. Later this year, he will have the chance to prove everyone wrong by defeating Michael Chandler. The fear, however, is what will happen to the former two-division champion if he loses. This list covers what another loss could mean for his career.
#5. It would mean that Conor McGregor is no longer elite
Conor McGregor's most recent wins have come against fighters who are no longer members of the UFC roster. Donald Cerrone has since retired after a seven-fight winless streak. Meanwhile, Eddie Alvarez is no longer a UFC fighter nor is he even a top contender in ONE Championship.
Similarly, Nate Diaz recently left the UFC and is currently without a promotional home. Finally, José Aldo has also retired. While Michael Chandler possesses the skills and physical attributes to give many of his opponents a tough time in the cage, his UFC run wasn't entirely successful.
The three-time Bellator lightweight champion has two losses and three wins in the promotion. Only Dan Hooker and Tony Ferguson—two fighters who are on massive declines—have lost to 'Iron'. Thus, if Conor McGregor loses to him, it would reveal that he is no longer capable of contending with the division's best.
#4. Conor McGregor can't win winnable fights
While Michael Chandler is a tough outing for most fighters, the three-time Bellator lightweight champion is a favorable matchup for Conor McGregor. From a stylistic standpoint, 'Iron' is susceptible to being knocked out by his opponents, even if they aren't sniper-like power-punchers like 'The Notorious'.
Chandler steps deep with every punch, overextending as he swings with his entire bodyweight committed to every blow. Unfortunately, this style of fighting means that 'Iron' runs into his opponent's punches more often than not. This does not bode well against McGregor. The Irishman is a lethal counterpuncher.
He bounces in and out of range with a wide, bladed stance. This enables him to glide away from punches against opponents before bouncing back in with a straight left that's thrown over their looping punches. Due to the sheer momentum of Chandler's constant forward movement, he'll run into McGregor's counters.
If the two clashes inside the octagon, the expected result is a car crash between the Irishman's fist and the former All-American's skull. But if McGregor loses against Chandler, then it would mean that he's declined to such an extent that he can't even win stylistically favorable matchups.
#3. Retirement
Conor McGregor is known for numerous things. Among these things are his fake retirements, which he has used to force the UFC's hand in the public sphere. But if he loses against Michael Chandler, then he'll have to seriously consider retirement. Another loss would be his third consecutive defeat inside the octagon.
Furthermore, the Irishman will turn 35 this year. He is no longer in his physical prime and will only grow older moving forward. This is especially concerning in the lightweight division, where most fighters decline in their mid-thirties. Additionally, his lifestyle choices along with a recent leg injury are both factors to consider.
McGregor is a frequent drinker, with many also accusing him of substance abuse issues involving drugs. He also suffered a brutal leg fracture that snapped his lower shin in half, an injury that often changes fighters permanently. This, coupled with his age and habits, almost guarantees that he won't be in prime condition.
A loss to 'Iron' would mean that the Irishman would have four losses and only one win in his last five fights. Given his age, injury, habits, and the potential indication that he may no longer be capable of contending with the division's elite, another loss could cause McGregor to retire.
#2. It would compromise his chin
If Conor McGregor loses to Michael Chandler, it would almost certainly be via knockout. During his featherweight run, he was capable of walking through his opponents' blows. His ability to absorb his foe's blows enabled him to shrug off even Chad Mendes' punches despite the latter's reputation as a power puncher.
The first time the Irishman's chin cracked was during his historic boxing matchup with Floyd Mayweather Jr. Upon his return to the octagon against Khabib Nurmagomedov, his chin was rattled during a knockdown in the bout. He later suffered his first TKO loss inside the octagon against Dustin Poirier.
Michael Chandler is a tremendously powerful puncher. If he knocks out 'The Notorious', then it could mean that the former two-division UFC champion's chin is finally compromised and he'll never be the same again.
#1. Conor McGregor would no longer be the biggest UFC PPV draw
There are only so many times that Conor McGregor could lose inside the octagon before his appeal to the casual fanbase finally diminishes. While his trash-talk is the primary source of fan interest in 'The Notorious', his performances in the cage are also part of his drawing ability.
The Irishman's primary rhetoric as a fighter is his supposed superiority over everyone else. In the past, he has described himself as the greatest fighter of all time. After Josh Cohen—frequently referred to as 'The Pink Suit Guy'—rose to internet infamy at the UFC 264 pre-fight press conference, fans took note.
Cohen, an MMA journalist, questioned why fans should have any confidence in the Irishman's abilities as a fighter by pointing out that he has only won one fight since Barack Obama was the United States president.
Furthermore, he pointed out that the win in question came against a foe who was winless in his (at the time) last six fights. A loss to Michael Chandler may very well turn fans off from Conor McGregor and diminish his PPV appeal.
This is especially concerning due to the rise of a new generation of UFC stars like Khamzat Chimaev and Sean O'Malley.
