Michael Chandler throws hat in McGregor sweepstakes

Former Bellator lightweight world champion Michael Chandler has thrown his hat into the Conor McGregor sweepstakes.

Chandler, 22-7 as a professional mixed martial artist, is scheduled to face former UFC lightweight interim champion Tony Ferguson at UFC 274 on May 7 at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

Should he get past his foe, Chandler wants McGregor next inside the cage.

"I want that Conor fight just for the magnitude of the moment. Stepping inside that octagon and doing something really monumental and fighting him in front of all the mixed martial arts eyeballs. I mean eyeballs across the whole world. You don't get a bigger platform than fighting Conor McGregor," Chandler told MMA Fighting.

"That's what I would love to happen if I don't get the title shot, of course. But July [or] August would be great for me. I will go out there beat Tony in May, just have a little bit of time to recover, and then go right back in there for a July [or] August fight. The timing works out perfect."

McGregor is widely considered as the biggest draw in mixed martial arts. He is 22-6 as a pro but has gone 1-3 in his last four fights. He recently expressed his desire to fight again, and Chandler believes that he is the best opponent for the Irish superstar en route to another title shot.

"I think I'm a great guy for Conor. If he comes back and he doesn't get that title shot, he's going to have to go through somebody to get that title shot," Chandler said.

"I think I'm kind of that perfect guy right there, ranked about No. 5. If he comes in and gets a win over me, he definitely gets the title shot. We'll see."

—MGP, GMA News