Michael Chandler

Dustin Poirier on UFC’s offer to fight Michael Chandler: ‘That’s a slap in the face’

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dustin poirier, ufc

Currently, the UFC is working on booking Conor McGregor (22-4) against Dustin Poirier (26-6, 1 NC) for January of next year. The rematch is expected to headline the promotion’s first PPV event of 2021 after McGregor agreed to the date yesterday.

However, McGregor wasn’t the first or even second opponent the UFC offered Dustin Poirier recently. Originally, Poirier was supposed to fight Tony Ferguson in the co-main event of UFC 254. However, the UFC and Poirier couldn’t come to terms financially. 

After that fight fell through, the promotion pivoted to try and book Ferguson against the newly signed Michael Chandler. That fight was not able to be made, and that caused the UFC to come back to Poirier with an offer to fight Michael Chandler.

In an interview yesterday with ESPN’s Ariel Helwani, Poirier shed some light on why he wasn’t willing to accept the offer on the table to fight Michael Chandler. It appears that Poirier was not going to receive the highest paycheck in the proposed Poirier – Chandler fight.

“I’ve been in the UFC for ten years. I’ve been in eight main events and two PPV main events. This guys gonna come in here and make more money than me. I understand it’s business, but if you want me to fight that fight, you have to step it up. That’s a slap in the face to me,” Poirier told Helwani.

UFC and Poirier were not far apart

Poirier did say earlier in the interview that he didn’t believe the two sides were far apart in their negotiations. He felt confident originally that something would get done between himself and the UFC. However, nothing has materialized to this point.

In Poirier’s last UFC contest, he had a disclosed paycheck of $150,000 to show and $150,000 to win. After winning the fight and winning fight of the night, Poirier walked away with $350,000 the night that he beat Dan Hooker.

Poirier’s comments have given us some insight into the new Michael Chandler deal with the UFC. Poirier is saying that Chandler would be making more money which tells us that the UFC is giving Chandler a higher guarantee to show up to fight.

The UFC and Poirier have not come to terms on a new contract. Fighters sign deals, but the UFC normally adjusts the deals throughout to bump up the pay of their fighters. However, this kind of thing created the situations with Jon Jones and Jorge Masvidal earlier this year.

The UFC is within their rights to keep Poirier where he’s at because he signed that deal. However, Poirier is also within his rights to present his case for more money. It’s a tough situation, but with Poirier appearing set to fight Conor McGregor, I’m expecting his next check to be much higher.

UFC Match Maker: Nate Diaz – Tony Ferguson

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Former interim UFC lightweight champion, Tony Ferguson, spent time on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show recently. Ferguson talked about his desire to fight lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov who’s currently scheduled to fight at UFC 254.

Ferguson was also scheduled to fight that night against Dustin Poirier. However, that fight fell apart leaving Ferguson without a dance partner. Ferguson wasn’t interested in fighting Michael Chandler who has not fought inside the UFC yet.

During his interview with Helwani, Ferguson said something interesting. He mentioned the fact that he feels like he’s a natural welterweight. He also said he would be interested in a fight with Nick Diaz who recently announced he’s returning to the UFC.

That got me thinking about something for Ferguson. Nick Diaz’s younger brother, Nate Diaz, has become a UFC star. Nate was scheduled to rematch Jorge Masvidal, but the UFC is pivoting towards booking Masvidal against Colby Covington.

The UFC also appears to be trying to work out a deal to make Conor McGregor – Dustin Poirier. That leaves both men without a fight. Well, I think you can see where I’m going with this. Both of these men would make for the perfect fight.

UFC should make Diaz – Ferguson

El Cucuy made it clear that he wants a big name fight for his next contest. He talked about the fact that he sells PPV’s when he fights. Well, for Ferguson it wouldn’t get much bigger than a fight with Nate Diaz in the UFC.

Diaz has blossomed into a star over the past few years. All starting with his giant win over Conor McGregor that occurred at UFC 196. Diaz’s stardom took off after that. Since then Diaz has participated in two additional events which generated over 900,000 PPV buys.

When Ferguson fought Justin Gaethje back at UFC 249, that card did about 750,000 PPV buys. Now granted, it was the first live sports event since the pandemic hit. Nevertheless, a fight with Diaz and Ferguson makes all the sense in the world.

Neither guy is going to accept a fight against just anyone. The name and the financial figures have to be right for both men to step into the cage. To me, the two men fighting each other solves problems they are both currently facing. If I’m running the show, I would see if I could make this fight happen.

UFC: Tony Ferguson wants to fight Khabib Nurmagomedov next

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Tony Ferguson, UFC

The UFC‘s lightweight boogeyman is wanting a fight. “El Cucuy” Tony Ferguson (25-4) just appeared on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show to talk about what’s next for him inside the octagon. Ferguson is coming off of an interim title loss to Justin Gaethje back at UFC 249.

Tony Ferguson was originally planning on fighting Dustin Poirier (26-6, 1 NC) later this month at UFC 254. That was the fight that the promotion was trying to book. Poirier and Ferguson are both ranked in the top three of the lightweight division.

However, the UFC couldn’t come to financial terms with Poirier. The fight fell apart, and Ferguson was left without an opponent. The UFC tried to pivot to booking Ferguson against Michael Chandler, but Ferguson was not interested in being at “Gate keeper.”

Now, the former interim UFC lightweight champion is left without an opponent. In his interview with Helwani, Ferguson talked about the fact that he’s still at the championship level. He wants to be treated that way. El Cucuy has one guy in mind for his next UFC contest.

“Khabib, let’s go. The fans want to see it, I’m not trying to hype anything. It’s competition. Nothing against him,” Ferguson told Helwani. Of course, Khabib Nurmagomedov (28-0) is scheduled to defend his lightweight title later this month at UFC 254 against Gaethje.

What does the UFC do?

UFC 254 needs to happen before the promotion plans on anything. The UFC is trying to book Dustin Poirier – Conor McGregor, but Ferguson doesn’t believe that fight will happen because McGregor is, “All fluff.”

Later this month, we will crown an undisputed UFC lightweight champion. Ferguson has his eyes focused on the winner of that fight. I believe a fight with Michael Chandler (21-5) would have been perfect, but Ferguson isn’t interested in someone who hasn’t competed inside the octagon.

If Nurmagomedov is able to defeat Justin Gaethje later this month, the promotion could try again at booking Ferguson with Khabib. This would be the sixth time that the UFC would have tried to put that fight together.

Considering the timeline, I would like to see Ferguson get back into the octagon before facing the winner of Khabib – Gaethje. He’s coming off of a tough loss to Gaethje, and I would just like to see him get his feet wet in the first. Time will tell what the promotion decides to do with El Cucuy.

UFC trying to make Conor McGregor – Dustin Poirier 2

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Conor McGregor, UFC

It has been a crazy week in the world of the UFC specifically around superstar Conor McGregor (22-4). McGregor in the last week has announced plans to box Manny Pacquiao, showed screenshots with from a private conversation with Dana White, and he’s called out the UFC President publicly.

To top it off, McGregor then asked Dustin Poirier (26-6, 1 NC) to compete in a charity MMA match. This would supposedly take place in December and it would have nothing to do with the UFC. Poirier agreed to the match through Twitter.

However, both of these fighters are under contract with the UFC. They are not permitted to compete in any combat sports without the approval of Dana White and the UFC. That would make the odds of the charity match extremely low.

However, Dana White came out today and sounded very interested in making the fight happen. It wouldn’t be for charity, but it would be inside a UFC cage towards the end of the year. It would be a fight the fans would love to see.

Will the UFC make it happen?

“We offered both of them the fight. We offered a fight to Conor and Dustin. We’re waiting to hear back from them,” White told Barstool Sports. This would be the perfect fight for the UFC to make if you ask me.

McGregor needs to get back into the cage, and Poirier needs to get paid. Poirier wouldn’t get a bigger payday against anyone else. From a rankings perspective, the fight makes a ton of sense as well. Both of these guys are just a win away from a UFC title shot.

McGregor was very adamant that he wanted to compete multiple times this year. Of course, the UFC didn’t make that happen which is what caused McGregor’s retirement. Poirier was supposed to fight Tony Ferguson, but that fight fell apart due to financial negotiations.

Pairing the two of them should solve both problems. It would get McGregor back to the UFC and it would get Poirier paid. Of course, that would leave Tony Ferguson as the odd man out, but perhaps a fight could materialize with Michael Chandler. It’s a very fluid situation at the moment.

UFC: Dan Hooker calls out Michael Chandler

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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.”

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.”

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.

Michael Chandler on UFC 254 backup role: ‘Perfect way to introduce myself’

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Michael Chandler

There’s a new UFC lightweight that is going to quickly become a promotional favorite. That lightweight is Michael Chandler (21-5) who just signed a deal with the promotion last week. Chandler had been a multiple time lightweight champion in Bellator prior to signing with the UFC.

Not only did Chandler sign with the UFC, but he signed on to be the backup for UFC 254. That card is headlined by the lightweight title fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov (28-0) and Justin Gaethje (22-2). Should one fall out, Chandler will step into the title fight.

It’s an interesting decision for Chandler to agree to this for his UFC debut. Most people would want a traditional camp to prepare for a debut. However, Chandler’s thoughts on the matter is, “It’s the perfect way to introduce myself. I’ve never turned down a fight… I’ve never not shown up,” Chandler told ESPN.

A New UFC Company Man

Chandler has to be a favorite of UFC President Dana White already, and he hasn’t even fought. When Chandler came to terms with the UFC, he made it clear to the promotion that he would do anything that needed him to.

“This was the perfect time for me to insert my name into the mix. Dana said, ‘Will you fight on October 24th?’ I told him I’d be ready September 24th. He asked if I would fight one of those guys (Tony Ferguson or Dustin Poirier), I said absolutely. He asked if I’d backup the main event, I said absolutely,” Chandler said.

It’s clear that Chandler was willing to accept anything that the UFC offered. Chandler has been chomping at the bit to prove that he’s the best lightweight in the world for years. He sees this as the perfect time to jump to the UFC to prove that he’s truly the best.

Ferguson and Poirier have stayed loyal to their fight, so for now, Chandler will train to be the backup at UFC 254. He’s ready to go up against the best of the best if he has to. “Either I am who I say I am or I’m not. Sink or swim,” Chandler said.

UFC currently working on some “Fun Stuff” for Conor McGregor

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Conor McGregor, UFC

According to Conor McGregor and Dana White, the UFC‘s star has been retired since earlier this summer. Or at least that’s what they’ve been telling everyone over the past couple of months. Nobody actually believed that to be true.

White has publicly said over and over that the UFC wasn’t even talking with McGregor since he was retired. However, recently, McGregor’s name has been in the media due to a new round of sexual allegations. Allegations that he’s vigorously denied.

This morning on SportsCenter, Dana White did talk about Conor McGregor. However, instead of saying that he’s retired, White had changed his tune regarding the Irishman’s status with the promotion.

The UFC’s Plan for McGregor

As you can see, the UFC is fully planning on Conor McGregor returning to the octagon. If he returns in early 2021, it would have been another year long layoff for the UFC‘s former two division champion. McGregor had said he wanted 2020 to be his comeback season.

That of course was derailed. Back at UFC 246, McGregor started the year with a dominant victory over Donald Cerrone. McGregor finished Cerrone in under a minute, looking better than ever. He said in his post-fight interview that any of these mouthy fools can get it.

However, a pandemic really through off the UFC‘s plans. McGregor was desperate to fight and spent months calling people out. With the UFC encouraging him to sit on the sidelines and wait for a title shot, McGregor decided to retire from the sport (again).

Now, it appears that the UFC is gearing up for McGregor’s return next year. My guess is that there’s a very real chance he could face the winner of the main event at UFC 254. Or perhaps he could fight newly signed Michael Chandler? Either way, the promotion is currently working on something for their superstar.

BREAKING: Michael Chandler signs with the UFC

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Michael Chandler

The hottest name in MMA free agency is officially off the board. Michael Chandler (21-5) is heading to the UFC. Dana White took to SportsCenter this morning to announce that the promotion has inked a deal with the talented lightweight.

The UFC has been seen as the favorite from the very beginning to sign Chandler. After spending the majority of his career with Bellator, it appeared that Chandler was ready to test himself inside the UFC who has the deepest lightweight talent pool in the world.

It was reported yesterday that the promotion and Chandler were in advanced talks on a deal. Again, this wasn’t surprising given Chandler’s desire to compete against the best in the sport. The UFC president just made the news official.

Chandler’s first UFC Fight

Dana White went on to say that Chandler would be traveling to Abu Dhabi for the UFC‘s upcoming trip to Fight Island. While there have been rumors surrounding a possible fight with Tony Ferguson, that’s not the current plan. Chandler will be serving as the UFC 254 backup.

Should Khabib Nurmagomedov or Justin Gaethje not be able to make the main event, Chandler will step in. If that were to happen, Chandler’s debut would be fighting for either the interim or the undisputed UFC lightweight champion.

The promotion’s lightweight division just got even deeper. For years, people have wanted to see Chandler compete in the octagon, and now he’s going to get his chance. There are so many exciting matchups for Chandler inside the UFC.

I really don’t think the promotion can go wrong with booking Chandler. Matchups with anyone in the top five would make for great fights.

The UFC and Michael Chandler are in “Advanced Talks” (Report)

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Michael Chandler

The hottest free agent in MMA is Michael Chandler (21-5). The former Bellator lightweight champion has all the top promotions after him including the UFC. Chandler has expressed his interest in challenging some of the top guys in the octagon.

For years, Chandler has been known as one of the top lightweights in the world. However, since he wasn’t in the UFC, many downplayed his success. Well, we might be getting closer to seeing Chandler be able to test himself inside the octagon.

Per ESPN’s Ariel Helwani, the UFC and Michael Chandler are in advanced talks on a deal that would bring Chandler to the octagon. Many perceived the UFC to be the favorite especially after Dana White publicly said how much he liked Chandler.

When could Chandler debut in the UFC?

It is worth noting that the deal with Chandler and the UFC is not finalized just yet. However, the deal appears to see the light at the end of the tunnel which signals we are going to see Michael Chandler in the UFC barring any last minute hiccups.

If the deal gets finalized, we could see Michael Chandler make his debut relatively quickly. Dana White said last night that the promotion was moving on and offering Tony Ferguson another fight after his fight with Dustin Poirier fell apart.

Could that fight be a matchup with Michael Chandler? That is the fight that I would move to make if I was the UFC. Chandler wants to jump right in with the sharks, and it doesn’t get much better than jumping in with Ferguson.

If the Poirier fight isn’t an option, the best the UFC can do for Ferguson is Michael Chandler. We all know that Dana White tries to make the biggest fights possible, and a lot of people would be interested in seeing Chandler – Ferguson.

Could the UFC book Conor McGregor – Tony Ferguson?

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Conor McGregor, UFC

The biggest star the UFC has ever seen, is going through more troubles. Just a few days ago, it was reported that Conor McGregor (22-4) was arrested and questioned for alleged indecent exposure. Additional details came out yesterday.

The UFC star finds himself in another round of negative headlines outside of the cage. 2020 was supposed to be the biggest year of Conor McGregor’s UFC career as he attempted his comeback season with the promotion.

It couldn’t have gotten off to a better start. Back in January at UFC 246, McGregor blitzed through Donald Cerrone in under a minute. McGregor looked focused, and it was the best mentally we had seem him in a very long time. It appeared he was back.

However, the pandemic really through a wrench in everything. The UFC couldn’t put together a fight for him, and Dana White wanted him to wait for the winner of Gaethje – Khabib. A frustrated McGregor retired because he simply wanted to fight.

Despite saying he’s retired from the UFC, McGregor is still being tested by USADA. To me, the best thing for McGregor would be to get a fight booked in the UFC. With that, could the promotion book him against Tony Ferguson (25-4)?

Can the UFC pull it off?

Tony Ferguson is in a bit of a weird spot. It appeared that he was going to fight Dustin Poirier in October at UFC 254, but the fight fell apart due to financial negotiations with Poirier. Ferguson came out yesterday asking the UFC to pay Poirier to make the fight happen.

Dana White said that the promotion is moving on to another fight for Ferguson. One of the options out there is free agent Michael Chandler who could jump right to the top with a fight against Ferguson. However, a McGregor – Ferguson fight could be just what the doctor ordered.

The UFC is fully capable of running and succeeding without Conor McGregor, but there’s no questioning what the Notorious one brings to the table. Love him or hate him, I believe most would want to see him stay active inside the UFC.

A fight against Ferguson would allow McGregor to rededicate his mind to MMA, and get away from the noise. It would also give Ferguson the fight he’s been asking for, for years. Not sure it’s possible, but if I’m the UFC, it’s something I pursue.