Dan Hardy picks Conor McGregor to beat Michael Chandler: 'There's such finesse to his game'

Dan Hardy is warning fans not to bet against Conor McGregor's return.

McGregor returns to action at UFC 303 in what will be his first fight back from a 35-month injury layoff. He takes on Michael Chandler in the main event on June 29 and seeks his second win in nearly eight years.

Hardy, a veteran analyst who is currently a commentator for the PFL, is going with “The Notorious” to beat Chandler based on how well McGregor has typically performed in big fights.

“I can’t underestimate McGregor’s ability,” Hardy said in an interview. MMA Hour. “He did special things at very stressful and stressful times in his career. Headlining in Dublin with Diego Brandao, he commanded the space so well. What he did with Jose Aldo was an absolute masterpiece. I mean, as an Aldo fan, it was painful for me to watch him fall so quickly because I wanted to see a little more fight, but he has the ability to control, manipulate, and create illusions with range.

“I broke it on Inside the Octagon a few years ago when you look at him when he fought Eddie Alvarez and he throws the jab and moves his hips back so that from Eddie Alvarez's perspective it looks like he's in range. Then Alvarez said, “Oh, I'm fine.” I'm safe here. And then (McGregor) comes through the area and knocks him down. This is a very, very high level operating system, and you won't lose it while hanging out on a yacht and enjoying life. I still feel like he has that sophistication in his playing.”

McGregor will barely be 36 years old when he steps into the cage with Chandler, but the history of his memorable victories precedes him. He has won three UFC title fights, including a stoppage fight with Chad Mendes, and famously defeated Nate Diaz in a rematch at UFC 202. However, he has lost three of his last four fights, including a UFC 264 meeting with contender Dustin Poirier . this ended when McGregor broke his leg in the first round.

However, Chandler is no stranger to taking on a challenge, having captured the Bellator lightweight title three times and two Fight of the Night titles in just five UFC appearances. His newfound attacking style has further boosted his popularity, but Hardy is concerned it could also be his downfall.

“Michael Chandler is not the same guy he was in Bellator when he was careful and picking his shots,” Hardy said. “If he plays the kind of game he had against, say, Sidney Outlaw, where he was poised and ready and waiting to hit that clean shot, then Chandler can beat anyone with that kind of speed and that kind of power. But he's become a lot more reckless lately, and that's only playing into McGregor's hands.

“McGregor made Aldo reckless and then punished him for it. Chandler arrives recklessly. He's coming for the paycheck and the show. He doesn't think, “Okay, I'm going to beat Conor McGregor and I'm going to do it a certain way.” He will come to fight.”

There's also McGregor's injury issue to consider, as his recovery from a broken leg is one of the reasons he hasn't competed since July 2021. While this injury could hinder him on fight night, Hardy hopes McGregor not only figures out how to deal with it, he can even use it to gain a psychological advantage.

“I think this could potentially change his approach,” Hardy said. “It might change his position a little bit. But I also think he'll be aware of that vulnerability and his fight IQ will allow him to turn that into a positive. You can even see him leaving that leg as a target to punish Chandler for attacking it. Use this as bait.