5 reasons why the UFC must book Dustin Poirier vs. Michael Chandler next
In the aftermath of UFC 276, Dustin Poirier and Michael Chandler continue to edge towards a possible matchup. The UFC lightweight division is arguably the promotion's most stacked weight class, with only the bantamweight division as a potential contender.
Both Poirier and Chandler have taken aim at the UFC lightweight championship. 'The Diamond' himself has attempted to capture the title twice, falling short both times.
'Iron' — a three-time Bellator lightweight champion — earned a title shot off the strength of a 1st round knockout over Dan Hooker, ultimately failing to capture the then vacant lightweight championship against Charles Oliveira.
Upon signing with the UFC, Michael Chandler expressed an interest in facing Dustin Poirier, but the suggestion was turned down by the former interim lightweight champion.
However, in the wake of Chandler's stunning front-kick knockout over Tony Ferguson, Dustin Poirier's tune shifted, while now 'Iron' is the one waving off the idea of fighting the Louisiana native.
It all led to a cageside confrontation between the two at UFC 276, with the current light heavyweight champion Jiří Procházka, of all people, jokingly claiming to have kept the two separate.
Given the history involving both Michael Chandler and Dustin Poirier, it would be wise for the UFC to book a matchup between the two lightweights. This list explores 5 reasons why.
#5. There is history between the two
In the wake of Khabib Nurmagomedov's retirement from MMA, the lightweight title he once held became vacant. At UFC 257, Conor McGregor locked horns with Dustin Poirier in the first rematch between the pair.
What initially began as Dana White's attempt at fast-tracking McGregor into a money-making rematch with Nurmagomedov with a victory over Poirier, was quickly flipped on its head when 'The Diamond' scored a massive upset over the Irishman.
In the same event, Michael Chandler became one of only three men to finish Dan Hooker with strikes. At the UFC 257 post-fight press conference, Poirier was asked about the potential of a matchup with 'Iron' for the then vacant lightweight championship.
The Louisiana native quickly shot down the idea, citing his grievances with Michael Chandler signing with the promotion and possibly earning a title shot by beating an opponent that Dustin Poirier himself had already bested.
The snub was not forgotten by the three-time Bellator champion, with Chandler now being the one turning the matchup away.
For a promotion that struggles to generate interest in most bouts that don't involve marquee names, the UFC has a promotional goldmine to dip into for this potential fight.