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ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – JANUARY 23: Michael Chandler battles Dan Hooker during the UFC 257 event at UFC Fight Island on January 23, 2021 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
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ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – JANUARY 23: Michael Chandler battles Dan Hooker during the UFC 257 event at UFC Fight Island on January 23, 2021 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Michael Chandler has arrived on the biggest stage in emphatic fashion. The former Bellator Lightweight champion made his much-anticipated UFC debut as the co-main event to Conor McGregor returning against Dustin Poirier. Chandler was up against exciting Lightweight Dan Hooker.
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Chandler made easy work of Hooker, winning the fight through the halfway mark of the first round. It was one of the best debuts in UFC history and has instantly elevated Chandler to championship talk. With violent exhibitionists in Poirier and Justin Gaethje also in the same hunt, Chandler has sent a clear message out to everyone.
Chandler making this statement into a call-out for Justin Gaethje is very smart. Gaethje definitely needs another win before he makes a run at the title again, and Chandler can remove all doubt by staying active against an elite lightweight. Also, considering their resumes, this fight would be an absolute firecracker.
READ MORE: SCARY- Michael Chandler Destroys Dan Hooker For Debut Win at UFC 257
Michael Chandler: Should he go for the Gaethje challenge?
Michael Chandler is in a weird position. If certain chips fall his way, he can easily be in the next Lightweight title fight against Dustin Poirier. However, with the uncertainty around the belt still there, it may be smarter for him to stay active and build off his current momentum.
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ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – OCTOBER 25: (R-L) Justin Gaethje kicks Khabib Nurmagomedov of Russia in their lightweight title bout during the UFC 254 event on October 25, 2020 on UFC Fight Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
Justin Gaethje is coming off a first-round loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov and has already turned down fights against the likes of Charles Oliveira. However, it does look like Oliveira may be everyone’s ideal opponent for Gaethje. But with Chandler’s big win, he could easily slot into that position.
A win over Gaethje would firmly establish Chandler’s claim to the Lightweight throne. While there will be calls for ‘do Bronx’ Oliveira, Chandler will have a lot more ammunition to stand his ground. Even a loss would be understandable considering the elite level of competition that Gaethje is. However, Chandler is obviously not preparing to lose.
Chandler v Gaethje is one of the most tantalizing UFC match-making options available. If not this, hopefully, the UFC can find a good enough use for these two title contenders.
