Michael Chandler plans to start calling the shots with a win over Dan Hooker at UFC 257.
Michael Chandler has been written off by just about everyone in the lightweight division ahead of his octagon debut against Dan Hooker at UFC 257, but the former three-time Bellator champion is looking to make a serious statement on Jan. 23.
Chandler will be angling for a title shot with a win over Hooker and plans to start calling the shots after he earns his spot in the UFC lightweight rankings.
The UFC 257 headliner will feature a pivotal lightweight bout between Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor and, although Chandler would ideally like to fight the winner for the title, the 34-year-old MMA veteran has no problem with accepting another fight if necessary.
“Either way, there’s going to be a lot of clarity on Jan. 23 after these two fights happen, and then we kinda see what happens,” Chandler told MMA Junkie ahead of UFC 257. “Obviously I’ll be campaigning for a No. 1 contender fight, a title fight. I’ll be throwing my name in the hat to fight any of those guys. Either way, I’m just excited to be competing in the UFC. I’m excited to be competing with the guys that are the best in the world in the lightweight division at 155-pounds.
“So, if I have to go out there and do my job against Dan Hooker, then I gotta do it again against someone else in order to get to that title shot, so be it. But either way, all roads lead to Jan. 23, and after that, we’ll have a little bit more clarity. Then I can start calling some shots.”
UFC 257: Poirier vs. McGregor II takes place on Jan. 23 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.