Michael Chandler sent out a huge message in his UFC debut on Saturday, as it took him less than a round to finish strong lightweight contender Dan Hooker in the co-main event of UFC 257 at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. But as impressive as his performance was, it was his WWE-esque post-game callout on Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov that stood out the most.
Michael Chandler just channeled his inner (1992 Royal Rumble) Ric Flair and melted my screen. Called out Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier and Khabib Nurmagomedov. That is how it's done! Take a bow, @MikeChandlerMMA! đź‘Ź đź‘Ź đź‘Ź #UFC257
pic.twitter.com/hQp3kMPRb5— Chamatkar Sandhu (@SandhuMMA) January 24, 2021
The 34-year-old MMA star was all hyped up after finishing Hooker and immediately called out the best 155-lb fighters in the UFC division. Making his best Rick Flair impression, Chandler ecstatically took aim Conor McGregor, his main event opponent Dustin Poirier and the now-retired Khabib Nurmagimedov.
“Conor McGregor, surprise, surprise, there’s a new king in the lightweight division. Dustin Poirier your time is coming,” he said.
Michael Chandler’s tone changed a bit when he addressed the undefeated pound-for-pound great Khabib Nurmagomedov, but he still issued a challenge to the Russian star.
“Khabib if you ever see fit to grace us with your presence back here in the UFC octagon. In your quest for 30, you gotta beat somebody. So beat me, if you can. God bless, see you at the top,” he added.
Chandler’s emergence obviously gives the stacked lightweight division another strong contender. Khabib’s possible return, on the other hand, remains unclear at the moment, but it is worth noting that the UFC has yet to strip him of his title. If he does return, there’s another contender in town and his name is Michael Chandler.
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