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With the date of his UFC debut still up in the air, newly-signed Michael Chandler already has his eye on the company’s top five lightweights.
On Wednesday, Michael Chandler officially signed with the UFC. And with the date of his debut still pending, the three-time Bellator lightweight champion already has his eye on the company’s top five 155-pounders.
“You gotta keep the main thing the main thing,” Chandler said in a recent conversation with TMZ Sports. “And the main thing is me staying in the gym, preparing for Khabib, Gaethje, Ferguson, Poirier, Conor… any of those guys in the top five. I told the UFC, I said, ‘Listen, I’m not here for long time, I’m here for a good time.’ I want to jump right into that top five right away.
“Either I am who I say I am, or I’m not. Sink or swim, throw me in their with the wolves and let’s see where I come out.”
With all of his accomplishments as an 11-year veteran of the sport, the 34-year-old Chandler believes he’s worthy of getting an elite opponent.
“I’ve said it for 11 years: I’m the best lightweight on the planet,” he said. “Have I disproven that theory numerous times by losing or having underwhelming performances? Absolutely. People love a winner, but they love even more the winner who loses and comes back and sets himself up for a comeback.
“I’ve gone through a lot in this sport and nothing can take this opportunity away from me. October 24th, if it is October 24th, I’m going to be ready. And I think I’m just a different animal.”
Chandler will serve as a back-up fighter for UFC 254’s headliner between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje on Fight Island, in Abu Dhabi.