"I didn't wanna fight Dan Hooker" – Michael Chandler opens up about the matchmaking for his UFC debut
There were plenty of questions regarding how Michael Chandler would perform in the UFC. While he answered those with a first-round TKO of Dan Hooker in his debut at UFC 257, Chandler recently revealed that the current No.12-ranked lightweight wasn't his ideal opponent.
Watch Chandler KO Hooker below:
Nobody saw this coming #Chandler congratulations #UFC257 https://t.co/2zSJymNwWn
Ahead of his UFC 281 fight against No.2-ranked lightweight Dustin Poirier, Chandler sat down with MMA On Point to break down his opponent's trash talk before and after facing him.
Prior to Chandler's UFC debut, Hooker shared that he didn't think Chandler would want to face him. The current No.5-ranked lightweight stated:
"That's true, I didn't really wanna fight Dan Hooker. You're coming in the UFC, Dan Hooker's 6'7. He is a long, rangy guy... I didn't wanna fight Dan Hooker. He had just gone 25 minutes with Dustin Poirier, heart of a champion, long, rangy striker. Even if you do get him, he wiggles and moves and wall-walks and gets up. He's a scary one."
After hearing Hooker's views on how he felt Chandler would approach the fight, the former Bellator champion added:
"In his mind, he thought I was going to go out there and take him down. There was a lot of people who said I was gonna get my chin kneed off into the first row of the stands. But obviously, as we saw the way that the fight played out. I used my level changes, my feints, my footwork, my up-and-down, touching the leg, going to the body to set up that big overhand left."
Chandler's TKO victory over Hooker earned him an opportunity to fight for the vacant lightweight title. While he was unable to win the belt on that occasion against Charles Oliveira, a victory over Poirier at UFC 281 could place him back into the title picture.
Watch Michael Chandler share his thoughts on facing Dan Hooker below (starting at the 3:37 mark):
Michael Chandler reveals his plan for defeating Dustin Poirier
Michael Chandler is set to face Dustin Poirier at UFC 281 in a highly-anticipated fight that could have lightweight title implications. A convincing victory could place the winner back into title contention. The No.5-ranked lightweight recently shared how he plans to beat his upcoming opponent:
"I defeat Poirier by going out there, keeping my foot on the gas, never let him get really started, wear him down, and finish him."
The fight you’ve all been asking for!
@DustinPoirier is set to take on @MikeChandlerMMA at #UFC281 🍿
[ Nov 12 | @TheGarden | UFC.ac/3AGLeGT ] https://t.co/JRkX4QraIE
Chandler is just 2-2 since entering the UFC. However, he has only been fighting the cream of the lightweight crop in Justin Gaethje, Charles Oliveira, Dan Hooker, and Tony Ferguson.
Watch Michael Chandler discuss how he plans to defeat Dustin Poirier below:
Dustin Poirier vs Michael Chandler at #UFC281
We're counting down until next Saturday! https://t.co/334u88dSD3