Michael Chandler News
Michael Chandler: 'I can start calling some shots' after UFC 257
Drake Riggs - January 12, 2021
Michael Chandler has his UFC debut set. At UFC 257, the former three-time Bellator champion will be helping provide some clarity in the grand scheme of things at 155-pounds. In doing so, he’ll go to war with Dan “The Hangman” Hooker.
Dustin Poirier makes prediction for Dan Hooker vs. Michael Chandler
Tom Taylor - January 7, 2021
Dustin Poirier has made a prediction for the upcoming lightweight fight between top-10 contender Dan Hooker and former Bellator champ Michael Chandler. Hooker and Chandler will collide in the co-main event of UFC 257 on January 23—a card that will be headlined by a rematch between Poirier and Conor McGregor.
Dan Hooker on Michael Chandler: 'They want him to come in and look like the man'
Drake Riggs - January 5, 2021
Dan Hooker fully understands the position he’s in as he gets ready to welcome Michael Chandler to the Octagon at UFC 257 on Jan. 23. In September, it was announced that the former three-time Bellator lightweight king in Chandler had signed with the UFC. Initially acting as the backup to the title fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje, “Iron Mike” now has a date with a “Hangman” to start his new promotional tenure.
Michael Chandler believes he can "entice" Khabib Nurmagomedov out of retirement with right strategy at UFC 257
Tom Taylor - January 5, 2021
Michael Chandler believes he might be able to “entice” Khabib Nurmagomedov out of retirement if he employs the right strategy in his UFC debut. Chandler, the former Bellator lightweight champion, is slated to make his first steps into the Octagon at UFC 257, when he’ll take on New Zealand’s Dan Hooker.
Michael Chandler claims he's a "nightmare" matchup for Conor McGregor
Cole Shelton - January 4, 2021
Michael Chandler is confident in his skill set as he believes he is a nightmare matchup for Conor McGregor. In the co-main event of UFC 257, Michael Chandler will finally make his Octagon debut against Dan Hooker in an intriguing matchup. If the former Bellator lightweight champion wins, he will likely be in line for a big fight against someone like Justin Gaethje, or the winner of Conor McGregor vs. Dustin Poirier 2. If it happens to be the latter, and McGregor wins, Chandler believes he would get his hand raised.
Michael Chandler vs. Dan Hooker official for UFC 257
Adam Martin - January 3, 2021
A highly-intriguing lightweight bout between Michael Chandler and Dan Hooker is now official for UFC 257 later this month. Chandler vs. Hooker is set to take place on the UFC 257 undercard, behind the main event between Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier. This bout between Chandler and Hooker was verbally agreed to previously and is now official, according to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, who notes several last-minute hurdles were cleared. UFC 257 takes place on January 23 on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi.
Michael Chandler vs. Dan Hooker verbally agreed to for UFC 257
Adam Martin - December 22, 2020
An exciting lightweight bout between Michael Chandler and Dan Hooker is the latest addition to January’s UFC 257 pay-per-view. Stuff.co.nz confirmed on Tuesday that Chandler vs. Hooker has been verbally agreed to for UFC 257 by both parties and both men have begun their training camps already, according to reporter Jackson Thomas. The UFC is expected to make this fight official in the next couple of days, according to the report. Chandler vs. Hooker will likely be the co-main event behind the UFC 257 between lightweight contender Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier. Hooker previously called Chandler out, and now he will get his wish of fighting him.
Michael Chandler announces launch of fight camp
Tom Taylor - November 30, 2020
Former Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler, one of the newer additions to the UFC roster, has announced that he’s starting fight camp. Chandler signed with the UFC in the fall, and was was immediately slated as the understudy for the UFC 254-headlining lightweight title fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje. In the end, both Nurmagomedov and Gaethje made it to the Octagon that night, which meant Chandler’s services weren’t needed, and his UFC debut was put on ice.
Dustin Poirier discusses options for Michael Chandler's UFC debut
Tom Taylor - November 26, 2020
Dustin Poirier believes Michael Chandler should get a tough test in his UFC debut—somebody like recent lightweight title challenger Justin Gaethje. Chandler, the former Bellator lightweight champion, signed with the UFC earlier this year, but has yet to take his first steps into the Octagon. That being said, it sounds like he will do so in the very near future.
Michael Chandler reveals signing with the UFC was "a competition thing" as it wasn't the most lucrative offer
Cole Shelton - November 23, 2020
Michael Chandler reveals the UFC did not offer him the most amount of money during his free agency. Following Chandler’s first-round KO over Benson Henderson, the former Bellator lightweight champion headed to free agency which is something he wanted to do. When he became a free agent, “Iron” admits he wanted to sign with the UFC but it needed to make financial sense.
Dana White explains why Tony Ferguson was booked against Charles Oliveira instead of Michael Chandler at UFC 256
Adam D Martin - November 22, 2020
UFC president Dana White explained why lightweight Tony Ferguson was booked against Charles Oliveira instead of Michael Chandler at UFC 256. We knew that Ferguson was champing at the bit to get in the Octagon before the year was up, and it seemed for a while that Chandler was going to be his opponent. However, the UFC surprised everyone when it was announced this week that Ferguson would instead be fighting top-ranked contender Charles Oliveira instead. The fight will now take place on the UFC 256 main card, with the winner surely figuring himself into title contention at 155lbs.
Tony Ferguson suggests Michael Chandler has “already accepted another fight”
Harry Kettle - November 18, 2020
UFC lightweight contender Tony Ferguson has revealed that he’s been told Michael Chandler has accepted another fight. The animosity between these two elite fighters has been steadily growing as the weeks and months have gone on with Ferguson campaigning to fight Chandler before the end of the year. The former Bellator star, however, wants to wait it out and serve as the co-main event on the proposed Conor McGregor vs. Dustin Poirier card in January.
Report | Tony Ferguson unlikely to compete at UFC 256 despite efforts
Harry Kettle - November 17, 2020
According to a recent report, it’s looking unlikely that Tony Ferguson will be joining the UFC 256 card next month. Ferguson, who hasn’t fought since his devastating loss to Justin Gaethje earlier this year, wants to put himself back in position for a shot at the UFC Lightweight Championship. In order to do that, however, he needs to remain active – and the fact that he’s been calling for a fight against Michael Chandler before the end of 2020 seems to indicate he’s ready to go.
Tony Ferguson pleads with UFC President Dana White: "Let’s give em’ what they want. The fans deserve this."
Chris Taylor - November 14, 2020
Former UFC interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson is hoping to make 2020 “a little better again” by headlining December’s UFC 256 event. ‘El Cucuy’ took to Twitter last night where he challenged former Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler to a showdown this December.
Tony Ferguson challenges "putz" Michael Chandler to December showdown: "Let's Close out 2020 In Style"
Chris Taylor - November 13, 2020
Former UFC interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson has issued a challenge to former Bellator title holder Michael Chandler. Chandler (21-5 MMA) signed with the UFC shortly after scoring a first round knockout victory over Benson Henderson at Bellator 243 this past August. He was immediately booked to serve as the back-up for UFC 254’s Justin Gaethje vs. Khabib Nuramagomedov main event, but thankfully his services were not required that evening in Abu Dhabi.
Patricio Freire rates Michael Chandler's chances in the UFC
Tom Taylor - November 12, 2020
Two-division Bellator champ Patricio Freire has shared his thoughts on how Michael Chandler will perform in the UFC’s Octagon. Freire currently holds the Bellator featherweight and lightweight titles, and is slated to defend the former against Pedro Carvalho in the main event of Bellator 252 on Thursday night.
Rafael dos Anjos shames Michael Chandler for turning down short-notice fight
Tom Taylor - November 10, 2020
Rafael dos Anjos is not impressed with Michael Chandler after the former Bellator champ turned down a short-notice fight at UFC Vegas 13. Dos Anjos, the former UFC lightweight champion, was originally expected to take on Islam Makhachev in the main event of UFC Vegas 13, which goes down this Saturday on ESPN+. When Makhachev withdrew from the fight, however, he called on Chandler, who has yet to make his UFC debut, to step in.
Michael Chandler responds to calls for short-notice Rafael dos Anjos fight
Tom Taylor - November 9, 2020
Former Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler has responded to calls for a potential short-notice fight with Rafael dos Anjos. Chandler signed with the UFC earlier this year, but has yet to make his debut with the promotion. Some fans are hoping he’ll make his debut on short notice by stepping in to replace Islam Makhachev against Rafael dos Anjos in the main event of UFC Vegas 14 this weekend.