Michael Chandler could not have asked for a better time to join the UFC. The former Bellator lightweight champion joined the promotion with a vacant title. In UFC 254. ‘Iron’ was the backup for headliner fight in case anything happened to either Justin Gaethje or Khabib Nurmagomedov.
However, Chandler is now a man on a mission to prove himself in the promotion. The likes of Conor, Tony, Dustin, Justin and Michael Chandler himself are all in prime position to grab the throne that is now empty. It will be interesting to see who will be the lightweight champion.
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Read: “There Will Be Blood”- Michael Chandler Itching to Go at UFC Lightweights
Michael Chandler gives his thoughts on Conor McGregor as an opponent
In a recent video, MMA on point tasked Chandler with ranking the top 10 lightweights in the division. ‘Iron’ ranked Conor McGregor on #4 and reasoned it saying, “When you break down Conor McGregor, you gotta think about the left hand and the spins.
“But you also have to break down the man himself. The mind games, the mental warfare, he somewhat of an enigma. What we do know is he is great at mental warfare…. Great at getting under his opponent’s skin.”‘Iron’ continued, “He’s the biggest, most polarizing name in the sport by far…. Standing across the cage from Conor McGregor has to be a different experience than anyone expects… Standing across the cage from Conor McGregor is something I have visualized for the last 6-8 years. He’d have to kill me to get me out of that cage.”
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Chandler’s first assignment under the UFC was on the sidelines. However, ‘Iron’ has maintained that he is in shape and ready to go at the lightweight division.
The former Bellator champion is not shy in calling out his opponents and has mentioned the likes of Justin Gaethje and Tony Ferguson for his first fight in the UFC.
via Getty
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JANUARY 18: Conor McGregor (top) fights Donald Cerrone in a welterweight bout during UFC246 at T-Mobile Arena on January 18, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. McGregor won by first-round TKO. (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images)
The lightweight division is one of -if not the most- talent stacked division in the UFC. Chandler will therefore have his work cut out for him if he wants to challenge for the title.
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Who would you like Michael Chandler to fight on his debut in the UFC? Should he fight Tony Ferguson or Justin Gaethje? Let us know in the comments below.
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