Michael Chandler – Page 42 – Syndication Server

Team Gaethje: Michael Chandler no Michael Johnson, but we can book the fight

As Justin Gaethje waits on his next assignment from UFC officials, Michael Chandler is a name that fans, at least, keep bringing up.

As [autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag] waits on his next assignment from UFC officials, [autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag] is a name that fans, at least, keep mentioning as a possibility.

Gaethje’s manager, Dominance MMA head Ali Abdelaziz, says his client is more than willing to take the fight but doesn’t think it necessarily makes a whole lot of sense in terms of quality.

“Michael Chandler is trying so hard to fight Justin Gaethje; Justin will fight him,” Abdelaziz told MMA Junkie. “It’s no problem, no problem at all. But in my opinion, he’s a little lower level than [autotag]Michael Johnson[/autotag].”

Chandler (22-5 MMA, 1-0 UFC), of course, is a former three-time Bellator lightweight champion who made a big splash in his UFC debut, knocking out perennial contender Dan Hooker at January’s UFC 257 event.

Meanwhile, Johnson (19-16 MMA, 11-12 UFC) is in action at Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 184 event in Las Vegas, where he takes on fellow longtime veteran Clay Guida (35-20 MMA, 15-14 UFC).

Johnson has struggled to find consistent results throughout his 11-year run in the sport’s biggest promotion, but he’s often show flashes of greatness, picking up wins over notables such as Edson Barboza, Danny Castillo, Tony Ferguson, Andre Fili, Melvin Guillard, Joe Lauzon, Dustin Poirier, Gleison Tibau, and even the GOAT, himself, Artem Lobov.

However, the 34-year-old lightweight is currently mired in a three-fight slump that he hopes to end on Saturday.

Abdelaziz says Chandler’s skills equate more to Johnson’s recent form than that shown in the biggest wins of his career.

“Michael Chandler is a little bit less of a fighter than when Michael Johnson was in his prime,” Abdelaziz said. “They’re both Michael, but I believe Michael Johnson was the better fighter. I think Michael Chandler is not like Michael Johnson used to be. He’s not like the Michael Johnson who beat Tony Ferguson, knocked out Dustin Poirier, beat all these guys. Mike Chandler is an old version of Michael Johnson.”

https://youtu.be/-bZkhUJ8TO8

[vertical-gallery id=446063]

Justin Gaethje: UFC botched lightweight title picture, stiffed Dustin Poirier and Tony Ferguson

According to Justin Gaethje, UFC president Dana White “(explicit) on” every lightweight by making Michael Chandler a title-fight backup.

[autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag] thinks the UFC dropped the ball in how it’s handled business at the very top of the lightweight division.

Gaethje, the former UFC title challenger and current top contender, believes the title picture at 155 pounds was managed poorly by the UFC and president Dana White in the past few months.

Currently, the UFC has yet to strip champion Khabib Nurmagomedov even though he retired back in October, and No. 1 contender Dustin Poirier has expressed discontent and is refusing to fight former Bellator champion [autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag].

Gaethje (22-3 MMA, 5-3 UFC) thinks the start of this conundrum began at UFC 256 back in October when he challenged Nurmagomedov for the title in Abu Dhabi.

“The reason why this is happening with Poirier is because Dana White used, he tried to, he did, he (explicit) Tony (Ferguson) and Dustin,” Gaethje told MMA Junkie on Monday. “He said (explicit) you guys, I’m going to take Chandler, and he’s going to be the backup for this title fight. That all happened four months ago. We are humans, we have principles, we have morals, and that’s what that is. That’s why Dustin Poirier is saying (he won’t fight Chandler). Well, I would assume. I don’t talk to the guy.

“He didn’t just (explicit) Dustin Poirier, He didn’t just (explicit) on Tony Ferguson. He (explicit) on every single (explicit) fighter that wants to do it right and wants integrity to the sport, and that’s why Dustin Poirier is talking like he is.”

[lawrence-related id=585478,578788,578191]

Gaethje thinks the UFC’s decision to make the newly signed Chandler a backup fighter for his UFC 256 title fight, while also not taking the necessary steps to finalize the booking between Tony Ferguson and Poirier in the co-main event, rubbed many lightweights the wrong way.

Ferguson, unhappy with the situation, went on to fight and lose to Charles Oliveira this past December, several weeks after UFC 256. Meanwhile, Poirier ended up fighting last month and avenged his 2014 loss to Conor McGregor with a TKO win at UFC 257. Afterward, Poirier expressed losing interest in the fight game politics and said he refuses to fight Chandler.

“That’s just the truth. You remember how upset Tony and Dustin were when they didn’t put that fight together (at UFC 256),” Gaethje said. “They were probably $50,000 or $100,000 off one of their contracts, and they didn’t put the contract together and those guys were ready to fight.

“They put it in the public, and that (explicit) is not right. I don’t like that as a fighter. I don’t like that as an employee. Well, I’m no (explicit) employee but being somebody that offers my services to the company. That’s not cool. You don’t want to see that. … I just know that’s why Dustin is saying what he’s saying, and that’s why he won’t fight Chandler for the title right now because they did that (explicit) in October. I don’t know it, but I’m pretty sure.”

Despite thinking the UFC didn’t handle the title picture properly, Gaethje is in no way unhappy with the UFC. He’s glad he got paid well for the UFC 254 title fight, and he’s itching to get booked to fight again so he can bounce back from the loss to Nurmagomedov.

“I’m happy. I’m not dissatisfied,” Gaethje said. “I don’t want to fight anywhere else. This is the company to showcase your skills at the highest level. I try to be a company man since Day 1.”

https://youtu.be/-bZkhUJ8TO8

Twitter Mailbag: What does Michael Chandler’s UFC debut say about Patrico Freire?

After all, the Bellator champ-champ does own a knockout win over Michael Chandler.

Questions on your mind about recent happenings in the UFC or sport of MMA in general? MMA Junkie’s Twitter Mailbag is here – and this week, @mma_kings answers:

Seeing how well [autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag] performed in his UFC debut, does Bellator champ-champ [autotag]Patricio Freire[/autotag] deserve more respect given that he knocked out Chandler?
Based on Chandler’s dominant win at UFC 257, does he deserve a lightweight title shot vs. [autotag]Dustin Poirier[/autotag], or does he need one more win?
Was the special treatment the UFC gave [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag] over the years ultimately detrimental to his MMA career inside the cage?
CAN [autotag]BEN ASKREN[/autotag] LEARN TO BOX IN THREE MONTHS?

Watch the video above for answers to those questions.

To ask a question of your own, follow @MMAjunkie on Twitter and let us know.

Does Dustin Poirier vs. Michael Chandler make sense next? |Twitter Mailbag

Michael Chandler predicts boxing success for Ben Askren: ‘Mark my words, I think he finishes Jake Paul’

Speaking to Jim Rome, UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler predicted a late win for Ben Askren over Jake Paul in their boxing match.

[autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag] has the utmost confidence that [autotag]Ben Askren[/autotag] will beat [autotag]Jake Paul[/autotag].

Former Bellator champion and ex-UFC fighter Askren is scheduled to fight YouTube star Paul in an eight-round boxing match on April 17.

Despite Paul’s inexperience as a boxer, many are befuddled at how Askren, who was known as a standout wrestler throughout his MMA career but not necessarily praised for his striking, has decided to come out of retirement to lace up the gloves and throw down in a boxing ring.

But for Chandler, it comes as no surprise. He thinks too many people are counting Askren out and that there are various factors that could sway things in his favor.

“I think it’s a great idea, No. 1,” Chandler said on a recent episode of “The Jim Rome Show.” “No. 2, Ben Askren is one of the most remarkable human beings in the entire planet. Everybody sees the big ‘fro and the loud voice, just attitude, but Ben is one of the most giving and full-of-humility men I’ve ever met in my entire life. He’s one of the reasons I got into mixed martial arts. He’s a heck of a competitor. The funny thing is, it doesn’t surprise me. If you know Ben well enough, nothing should ever surprise you.

“The man is a wild card; he marches to the beat of his own drum. Now, what I will say about the actual matchup, Jake Paul is not a great boxer. Ben Askren is not a great boxer. Ben Askren, quite frankly, the weakest of his attributes is his ability to strike on the feet. But I think, depending on the referee, depending on the ruleset, depending on how the promotion is set up, Ben is going to be able to get his hands on Jake, do some dirty boxing, some underhooks, some pushing, some pulling.”

[lawrence-related id=584639,584604,584536]

Just like Askren predicted, Chandler thinks “Funky” will be able to drag Paul into deep waters and stop him late. In just two boxing matches, Paul has yet to go past Round 2.

“We’re going to see, and I think Ben may be penalized for it,” Chandler said. “Ben may be pulled off of him, maybe broken up a lot, but you’re going to see Ben close the distance, Ben get his hands on him. You’re going to see Ben wear out Jake Paul because there’s a difference between boxing at distance and throwing punches and having a guy in your face, putting pressure on you, pushing you back up against the ropes. You’ve got to remember, yes it’s boxing, but Ben knows how to move, maneuver and manipulate another human body, his opponent, with his hands.”

“So it’s going to be very interesting to watch the dirty boxing, watch the clinch game, and also watch Ben’s toughness. We saw Ben get knocked out cold, but listen, King Kong himself would have gotten knocked out by that Jorge Masvidal knee. Ben traditionally has a phenomenal chin, a great chin, and the wherewithal to be able to push Jake Paul around the boxing ring for eight three-minute rounds. Mark my words, I think he finishes Jake Paul later in the fight.”

[vertical-gallery id=391022]

Michael Chandler: Dustin Poirier and I earned a title fight at UFC 257

After an emphatic finish in his UFC debut, Michael Chandler has officially entered the lightweight title race.

After an emphatic finish in his UFC debut, [autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag] has officially entered the promotion’s lightweight title race.

Chandler (22-5 MMA, 1-0 UFC) made quick work of the durable Dan Hooker in the co-main event of UFC 257, in what Dana White called the most impressive UFC debut in recent memory.

As soon as Chandler stopped Hooker, he cut an epic promo and then made sure to watch the night’s headliner between [autotag]Dustin Poirier[/autotag] and Conor McGregor, where “The Diamond” stunned “The Notorious” with a second-round TKO.

With UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov seemingly happily retired, Chandler wants the division to move on and thinks he and Poirier (27-6 MMA, 19-5 UFC) are the right guys to battle it out for the vacant UFC title.

[lawrence-related id=584418,584365]

“That is definitely a fight (Poirier) that interests me,” Chandler said on a recent episode of “The Jim Rome Show.” “To be honest with you, Dustin Poirier was the first fight I tried to get in the UFC. I think I match up extremely well against him. I got a ton of respect for that man inside the octagon and outside the octagon. He’s a champion in his own right. I got to watch him cageside go and put away Conor McGregor, one of the greatest of all time. At this point, the performances that we both put on, I think warrants that next title shot.

“Listen, Khabib Nurmagomedov is the greatest to ever do it, but we all know he’s stepping away. Let him step away. Let’s relinquish the belt, let’s put it on the line between me and Dustin Poirier in the next quarter, and I promise you after that fight, I’ll be the UFC champion. I hope that’s the one that happens, and hopefully we can celebrate after.”

Despite Chandler’s willingness to face Poirier, “The Diamond” was rather dismissive of him after his big win at UFC 257. Poirier expressed interest in a potential trilogy with McGregor or a fight with Nate Diaz, as well as acknowledging Charles Oliveira being in the running for a potential title shot, as well.

[vertical-gallery id=583226]

UFC 257 ‘Fight Motion’: Dustin Poirier chops down Conor McGregor before finish

Check out these super slow-mo UFC 257 highlights, including clips of Dustin Poirier’s big win over Conor McGregor.

Over six years later, [autotag]Dustin Poirier[/autotag] got his revenge against [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag].

Poirier, who was stopped in Round 1 in his 2014 meeting with McGregor, was able to flip the script in their rematch, which headlined UFC 257. In a competitive first round, Poirier was able to take some of McGregor’s best shots, firing back with a few of his own. “The Diamond” briefly got McGregor to the ground as the two exchanged positions in the clinch.

But it was one key tactical change that paid dividends for Poirier, who effectively used calf kicks to hinder McGregor’s movement. Midway through Round 2, Poirier (27-6 MMA, 19-5 UFC) hit McGregor (22-5 MMA, 10-3 UFC) one one more leg kick, before backing him up against the cage with a barrage of punches that finished the fight.

You can watch it all unfold in super slow-motion in the UFC 257 “Fight Motion” video highlights above.

[lawrence-related id=584378,584327]

Also featured are [autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag]’s statement finish of Dan Hooker, [autotag]Marina Rodriguez[/autotag]’s big upset TKO of Amanda Ribas, [autotag]Makhmud Muradov[/autotag]’s late finish of Andrew Sanchez, and plenty more back-and-forth action from the prelims.

UFC 257 took place at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. The main card streamed on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+/UFC Fight Pass.

[listicle id=583949]

Spinning Back Clique: UFC 257 overreactions edition

The latest episode of “Spinning Back Clique” focuses on the fallout from Dustin Poirier’s TKO of Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler’s win.

Welcome to “Spinning Back Clique,” MMA Junkie’s weekly show that takes a quick spin through the biggest topics in mixed martial arts. This week, host Simon Head is joined by panelists Brian “Goze” Garcia from MMA Junkie Radio, as well as MMA Junkie’s Nolan King and Danny Segura. We did something different this week, putting out some bold statements coming out of UFC 257 and asking: Overreaction or on the money? Let’s get into it!

[autotag]Dustin Poirier[/autotag] came up with a huge TKO victory over [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag] in the UFC 257 main event. It means McGregor still hasn’t beaten a quality opponent since November 2016. Statement: Conor McGregor will never win a UFC title again. Overreaction or on the money?
On the flip side of the UFC 257 main event, Poirier is riding high after avenging his 2014 loss to McGregor, and he now has wins over five former world champions on his resume. There was no title on the line in the McGregor rematch, but Poirier is considering himself the king of 155. Statement: After his performance at UFC 257, Dustin Poirier is the uncrowned UFC lightweight champion. Overreaction or on the money?
Also at UFC 257, [autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag] made a huge statement about his status as one of the lightweight division’s elite fighters by taking out contender Dan Hooker inside the first round. It was one heck of a UFC debut for the former three-time Bellator champion. Statement: Michael Chandler deserves an immediate title shot after that win over Dan Hooker. Overreaction or on the money?
The shadow of [autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag] hung over UFC 257 after UFC president Dana White indicated before the show that Khabib would consider fighting whomever did something spectacular. Then after the event, White didn’t sound optimistic about Khabib coming out of retirement – even though both Poirier and Chandler did something spectacular. Statement: The Khabib sweepstakes were all a hoax, and it was just about setting up Khabib vs. McGregor 2, and nothing else. Overreaction or on the money?

Hope you enjoy this week’s show. Watch Episode 64 of “Spinning Back Clique” above.

[listicle id=583824]

UFC 257 medical suspensions: Conor McGregor faces potential lengthy layoff due to injury

Following his first career knockout loss, Conor McGregor was handed a potential lengthy suspension.

[autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag] is facing hefty time off following his UFC 257 loss to [autotag]Dustin Poirier[/autotag] on Saturday.

Former UFC double champion McGregor (22-5 MMA, 10-3 UFC) suffered a technical knockout loss – the first of his career – in a rematch against Poirier (27-6 MMA, 20-6 UFC). Prior to the finish, Poirier damaged McGregor’s legs with an onslaught of leg kicks.

McGregor, 32, was handed a 180-day medical suspension as a result of a potential right tibia/fibula injury sustained in the fight. Like all medical suspensions, he will be eligible to return sooner, if his injuries are cleared by a doctor.

Poirier, meanwhile, received a seven-day suspension for mandatory rest.

MMA Junkie obtained the full list of medical suspensions from MixedMartialArts.com for UFC 256, which took place this past Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

[lawrence-related id=583936,584042]

After the fight, McGregor was on crutches. He hobbled his way backstage and to the post-fight news conference, where he expressed the pain he felt.

“My leg is completely dead,” McGregor said. “Even though I felt like I was checking them, it was just sinking into the muscle in the front of the leg, and it was badly compromised. It was like an American football in my suit at the moment, so it is what it is.”

UFC 257 competitors [autotag]Andrew Sanchez[/autotag] and [autotag]Matt Frevola[/autotag] were also each handed 180-day suspensions. Sanchez, who lost via TKO to Makhmud Muradov on the main card, suffered potential nasal and tibia/fibula injuries. In the featured preliminary card bout, Frevola suffered a potential right hand injury in a unanimous decision defeat to Arman Tsarukyan.

The full UFC 257 medical suspensions include:

Dustin Poirier: Suspended seven days (mandatory rest).
Conor McGregor: Suspended 180 days or until right tibia/fibula x-ray is cleared by a doctor; also suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days.
[autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag]: Suspended seven days (mandatory rest).
[autotag]Dan Hooker[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days due to TKO loss.
[autotag]Joanne Calderwood[/autotag]: Suspended seven days (mandatory rest).
[autotag]Jessica Eye[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days due to left brow laceration
[autotag]Makhmud Muradov[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days due to “hard bout.”
Andrew Sanchez: Suspended 180 days or until nasal and right tibia/fibula x-rays are cleared by a doctor; also suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days.
[autotag]Marina Rodriguez[/autotag]: Suspended seven days (mandatory rest).
[autotag]Amanda Ribas[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days due to TKO loss.
[autotag]Arman Tsarukyan[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days due to left brow and scalp laceration.
Matt Frevola: Suspended 180 days or until right hand x-ray is cleared by a doctor; also suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days.
[autotag]Brad Tavares[/autotag]: Suspended seven days (mandatory rest).
[autotag]Antonio Carlos Junior[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days due to “hard bout.”
[autotag]Julianna Pena[/autotag]: Suspended seven days (mandatory rest).
[autotag]Sara McMann[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days due to “hard bout.”
[autotag]Marcin Prachnio[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days due to “hard bout.”
[autotag]Khalil Rountree[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days due to left ankle pain.
[autotag]Movsar Evloev[/autotag]: Suspended seven days (mandatory rest).
[autotag]Nik Lentz[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days with 21 days no contact for right brow laceration.
[autotag]Amir Albazi[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days due to “hard bout.”
[autotag]Zhalgas Zhumagulov[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days due to “hard bout.”

UFC 257 took place Saturday at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi. The main card streamed on ESPN+ pay-per-view after prelims on ESPN/ESPN+.

[vertical-gallery id=583226]

Callout Collection: Who UFC 257 winners want next – and how likely they’ll get them

Michael Chandler and Julianna Pena were among those who name-dropped their preferred next opponents at UFC 257 in Abu Dhabi.

Earning wins in the UFC is certainly no easy task, but what comes next is often even more important: the post-fight callout.

So, after Saturday’s UFC 257 event in Abu Dhabi, who took advantage of their time on the mic?

See below for this week’s Callout Collection – and just how realistic each one is.