UFC lightweight Michael Chandler loves a scrap. With his next fight, against fellow title contender Dustin Poirier, scheduled for UFC 281, Chandler revealed that he’s a little “scared” of Dustin Poirier’s punching power. Chandler discussed how he plans on dealing with Poirier’s terrifying boxing on a recent episode of DC & RC.
“I can tell you this, the dude’s got a chin on him, rangy southpaw, punches in bunches, great with his footwork and great with his defense.
Chandler Admits to Being “Scared” of Poirier’s Power
I’ve fought people in his camp before so I’m sure they are talking about that. With Dustin as he said, 28 fights in the UFC, I have a lot of Dustin Poirier fans/hey I have watched this guy forever. We are two guys who have been in this game for a very long time, last fight was last fight and this fight is going to be something brand new.”
Both Chandler and Poirier are vicious, powerful strikers. Both have enjoyed notable knockout victories of late, with Poirier earning two consecutive stoppage wins over former lightweight champion Conor McGregor, and Chandler obliterating Tony Ferguson with a front kick to the face. Chandler was once Bellator champ, and feels that the matchup will showcase the skills of two of the lightweight division’s best strikers.
“I think Dustin can stand with me, I do think he has a granite chin, I do think he throws punches in bunches, I do think you get caught with Dustin Poirier’s four-ounce glove, you’re probably going out.
So, I’m going to be on my P’s and Q’s, you know I like to mix it up, have a good game plan we already formulated it. May the best man win. This is a fight, I’d be lying if I said it didn’t scare me, but that’s what excites me. Every time we step into the Octagon it’s a scary opportunity, and that’s what wakes me up early in the morning.”
Both Poirier and Chandler competed for the UFC lightweight title against Charles Oliveira, and both came up short. With the title currently vacant, Oliveira will face Islam Makhachev for the belt at UFC 280, only a month before Chandler vs Poirier. It’s feasible that the victor of the Chandler vs Poirier fight will take on the winner of Makhachev vs Oliveira, and either Michael Chandler or Dustin Poirier could once more compete for UFC gold.
Would you be scared stepping into the Octagon with Dustin Poirier? Let us know in the comments.
