UFC lightweight fan favorite ‘Iron’ Michael Chandler is the latest professional fighter to get into the distilling business.
Sitting on the sidelines for the last year while waiting for his long-awaited clash with Conor McGregor to materialize, Chandler has kept busy by getting into the alcohol game. Speaking with TMZ Sports, the former Bellator MMA champ revealed that he has invested in Hiatus Tequila.
“I’ve been outside of the cage, on hiatus for an entire year, right? So it’s only fitting,” Chandler said. A little over a year ago I found Hiatus Tequila. From the very first sip, I wanted more. I wanted more of the juice, but I also wanted more of being involved with the company. I met the founder, Kristopher DeSoto, who set out years ago to create and authentic agave-forward and he has created, in my mind, the best tequila on the planet and I said I want to be involved.
“So I made an investment in the company, and have now been working behind the scenes with the team with our teams to try to get it in the glasses of as many people possible around the world. It’s tequila for tequila people.
“It’s exactly what I try to be — authentic, true to myself,” Chandler said, adding, “I’m excited about it and we’re gonna take it to the moon!”
I am excited to announce my partnership with @Hiatustequila! Their commitment to purity, quality, and excellence is unmatched, echoing the values I have stuck by my entire life.
Watch the full video: https://t.co/B6yTHMSNaU#Hiatus #Tequila #OnHiatus #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/BDX82rAi4d
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) December 4, 2023
Getting into the tequila business has already earned comparisons to the man he’s been linked to for the last year, Conor McGregor. The Irishman famously sold his popular brand of Proper No. 12 whiskey to Proximo Spirits for a whopping $600 million in April 2021.
“When you get lined up with a guy like Conor, everything you do gets combed through with a fine tooth comb and looked at through a microscope,” Chandler said. “If I’m nice to him and I give him a compliment, they’re like, ‘You’re a brown noser.’ If I’m mean and I talk trash, ‘Oh, you want this fight so bad.’ You can’t do anything right when you’re lined up opposite of Conor McGregor.
“But yes, him carrying around his Proper No. 12 Irish whiskey, and then now me, I will obviously be 100% behind Hiatus Tequila. There are going to be people who cast stones, but if you at all like tequila whatsoever, Hiatus is as pure as it gets.”
Michael Chandler Reveals Potential Timeline for Conor McGregor Clash
Though he has kept himself busy while away from the Octagon over the last 12 months, Michael Chandler has admittedly struggled at times with the lengthy layoff.
At the same time, he recognizes that a year to rest and heal definitely has its perks. Especially after the murderer row of talent he has faced since signing with the UFC.
“Well, I’m not gonna lie to you and tell you that it has not been a little bit tough,” Chandler said. “I am very active. I like to be active. When I was in Bellator before the UFC, I wasn’t active enough. I was always scraping and clawing, trying to get fights. Now coming in the UFC, I’ve been signed with the organization for three years now, and having the fights that I’ve had, fight after fight have been a Fight of the Year candidate or Knockouts of the Year.
“So I went through the ringer. I think a year off, as much as it was tough, has probably been very good for me. Very good for my body. It’s also given me the opportunity for one year to focus on this one opponent.”
As for when we will finally see the fabled McGregor vs. Chandler showdown, ‘Iron’ suggested that the first quarter of 2024 is likely.
“From everything that I’ve been hearing, the first quarter of 2024 is when the [Conor McGregor] fight will be happening,” Chandler added. “He can’t run forever.”
Chandler also said that an official announcement should be coming soon, but he was unable to say with 100% certainty that he would be the one welcoming McGregor back to the Octagon in 2024.
Watch the full interview below:
