Newly signed Michael Chandler has already received his first UFC callout from a top five opponent. Dan Hooker (20-9) is focused and wants to be the guy who welcomes Chandler to the promotion.
In an interview with submission radio, Hooker had this to say of Chandler, “The UFC is putting a lot of stock in on this kid. So, I would love to be the guy to welcomes him to the UFC, knee his chin off, sends him back to the B-Leagues.â€
Right now, Michael Chandler (21-5) is currently scheduled to be the backup fighter for UFC 254. Should Khabib Nurmagomedov or Justin Gaethje not make the fight, Chandler will step in to challenge for the title in his debut. You have to go back years to find the last time that happened.
Will the UFC make this happen?
Michael Chandler told Ariel Helwani yesterday that the promotion was still looking to possibly book him his own fight at UFC 254. A fight between Hooker and Chandler makes a ton of sense for the promotion.
You have the top two already booked in a title fight, and Tony Ferguson/Dustin Poirier seemed committed to their fight. That leaves Chandler and Hooker, which would be a fantastic matchup for the UFC to make.
Now, it doesn’t sound like Hooker would be ready for UFC 254. Hooker said, “I’m training and I’m ready to jump in a camp and get back in there. So, late November, December, my schedule’s wide open. So, we’re gonna book something.â€
Perhaps the fight could come together by UFC 255 or maybe it could headline a Fight Night card in November or December. Either way, I think this is way to go if you’re the UFC. If Chandler doesn’t step in next month, then you should pivot towards making the Hooker fight.