Michael Chandler reacts to Conor McGregor naming Dan Hooker as next opponent: "Flavor of the week kind of guy"
Michael Chandler recently gave his take on Conor McGregor announcing Dan Hooker as his next opponent. Although Chandler didn't seem bothered by it, the American fighter questioned whether the promotion would approve of the matchup.
Both McGregor and Hooker were present at BKFC Spain, which was held at the Marbella Arena this past Saturday. After the event, the Irishman told Bloody Elbow he would make his much-awaited comeback against the Kiwi next year in February.
In a recent interview with Ariel Helwani on The Ariel Helwani Show, Chandler was asked about McGregor eyeing a fight with Hooker. In response, the former Bellator lightweight champion said he isn't concerned, as 'The Notorious' seemingly changes his tune every week.
''Conor's [McGregor] a very flavor of the week kind of guy. He just had a conversation with Dan Hooker... And be like, 'Hey man, I like you, you like me, we can make some magic. Let's fight each other.' So, I looked no further than that, honestly.''
Adding that he has a task ahead of him against Charles Oliveira at UFC 309, Chandler continued:
''I don't think the UFC is going to be very keen on McGregor versus hooker compared to McGregor versus Chandler since we need to make this fight happen so I'm not really that worried about it... The good thing is I have a great job to do in front of me and that's November 16 in Charles Oliveira.''
Check out Michael Chandler's comments below (8:37):
McGregor vs. Chandler was initially slated to headline UFC 303 earlier this year, but an injury to the former two-division UFC champion forced him to withdraw. Chandler was subsequently booked against Oliveira for next month's pay-per-view at Madison Square Garden, New York City. UFC CEO Dana White has disclosed that McGregor's octagon return will happen early next year.
Michael Chandler reflects on fighting for the title at UFC 262
Following a successful UFC debut with a first-round knockout of Dan Hooker at UFC 257, Michael Chandler faced Charles Oliveira at UFC 262 in his second bout with the promotion. However, he got finished by 'do Bronx' in the second round, after dominating the opening frame.
Now that Chandler is set for his rematch against Oliveira at UFC 309, the American looked back at his title fight in his aforementioned interview with Ariel Helwani, saying:
''I got done knocking out Dan Hooker, coming back from Abu Dhabi, went on a vacation... I got the call from Hunter [Campbell] that Khabib [Nurmagomedov] was retiring...'You and Charles [Oliveira] are fighting for the lightweight title in Houston, Texas.' He [Oliveira] felt the power, he knows what happens when I hit him and this time I'm gonna finish the job.'' [16:14]