5 reasons why Michael Chandler would beat Dustin Poirier in a potential matchup (and 5 reasons he won't)
Former Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler has been linked to a potential matchup with two-time UFC lightweight title challenger Dustin Poirier for quite some time now. The history between the two dates back to Michael Chandler's UFC debut at UFC 257.
The former All-American wrestler announced himself to the rest of the UFC lightweight division by becoming the first fighter to knock Dan Hooker unconscious. Following his emphatic victory, Chandler expressed an interest in facing Dustin Poirier for the vacant UFC lightweight title, a suggestion that Poirier subsequently rejected.
'The Diamond' scoffed at the rationale behind Michael Chandler being booked for a title fight after defeating a foe he had beaten prior to him, as Hooker's most recent bout before his loss to Michael Chandler was a loss to Poirier himself.
Furthermore, Poirier felt that Chandler—a UFC debutant—had no right to skip the long line of existing contenders after only one fight in the promotion.
Scorned by Poirier's dismissal, Michael Chandler returned the favor when, after Poirier lost to Charles Oliveira at UFC 269, 'Iron' refused to entertain the Louisiana native's suggestion that they fight. Trash talk ensued, culminating in a cageside confrontation at UFC 276.
#UFCLondonDustin Poirier vs Michael Chandler fight news coming soon?👀 #UFCLondon https://t.co/GBKyaYdlbC
Now, with Poirier's manager claiming that the fight is closer than ever to being booked, and Chandler himself claiming that a matchup with 'The Diamond' is imminent, this list outlines five reasons why Michael Chandler might defeat Dustin Poirier, and five reasons why he might not.
#10. Can: Chandler's knockout power
Both Dustin Poirier and Michael Chandler are powerful punchers. 'The Diamond' is a combination puncher who routinely switches stances while punching to crack his foes on the open side of their guard. Chandler, meanwhile, does not throw at a volume as high as Poirier's.
Finish this line: @MikeChandlerMMA’s power is ...... https://t.co/FxsG1Syhhi
Instead, 'Iron' pours every ounce of his weight into his punches by stepping deep into every strike. Doing so enhances his natural reserves of crushing knockout power, making him a constant danger against any chin he lands on. While Poirier himself hits hard, he does not possess the kind of punching power that 'Iron' does.
Furthermore, Dustin Poirier does not possess the greatest chin either. While he's almost certainly a more technical striker than Michael Chandler, the All-American has a great equalizer against a chin that has been cracked in the past.
#9. Can't: Dustin Poirier's calf kicks
Not only is Michael Chandler very powerful, but he's lightning-quick as well. The speed at which the former Bellator world champion can close the distance is astonishing. This is partly due to his wealth of fast-twitch muscle fibers, but also his wide, sideward stance.
Michael Chandler's stance renders him capable of darting in and out of range very quickly. However, the disadvantage of a bladed stance in modern-day MMA is that fighters have begun to use calf kicks to destabilize wide, sideward stances.
As Chandler stands sideward with his lead leg turned inward, the back of his lead leg is always exposed, rendering his calf an open target.
Poirier, a prolific calf kicker, will almost certainly target Michael Chandler's lead leg. Unlike standard low kicks, calf kicks don't need to be used in great volume to deal crippling damage. If 'Iron' does not adjust his stance, he will be left all but immobile by his foe's kicks.