UFC lightweight Michael Chandler will face a fellow top contender in Dustin Poirier on the main card at UFC 281 this weekend. Afterwards, Chandler believes he should be first in line to face freshly crowned 155-pound champ Islam Makhachev. In particular, Chandler wants the Makhachev fight over ascendant featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski, who is widely expected to move up a division in an attempt to claim a second belt. Chandler made his case at the UFC 281 pre-fight media day.
“I think if there’s a guy out there who deserves to move up, I think it is Alex Volkanovski. Obviously, the selfish part of me says, ‘I don’t want that to happen.’ I understand how it makes a ton of sense from a promoter’s standpoint, from the UFC’s standpoint.
Chandler Wants Makhachev Fight Over Volkanovski
You’ve got the No. 1 pound-for-pound guy in the world vs. the No. 3 pound-for-pound guy in the world. But I also think Islam has proven himself to be our champion. He is our champion, and we have to accept that.
I think he’s a phenomenal talent. I also think he needs to have his first title defense against a lightweight. He needs to get through another lightweight before we start talking about superfights. I don’t say that to say the UFC is making a bad decision or a wrong decision if they make that decision to let Volkanovski move up.”
Chandler’s last attempt at UFC gold ended in defeat as Charles Oliveira claimed the title. At the time, the title was left vacant by Khabib Nurmagomedov’s retirement. Notably, Islam Makhachev was mentored by Khabib for much of his life, with a similar fighting style.
Chandler’s opponent this weekend, Dustin Poirier, also lost to Charles Oliveira in his most recent title run. Chandler wants Makhachev to pit his “old-fashioned American wrestling” against Makhachev’s “Dagestani grappling”.
“I think when I handle business on Saturday night, it’ll be undeniable that they’re going to want to see good old fashioned American wrestling vs. Dagestani sambo, Dagestani grappling. That’s what I hope we get to see.
It’s my fifth fight in the UFC. Things have calmed down a little bit. I’m seeing things more clearly, as well. This is a phenomenal opportunity. I think this puts me in line for the title or another huge fight by knocking out Dustin.”
Do you think Chandler or Volkanovski will get the first shot at Islam Makhachev’s lightweight title? Let us know in the comments.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIcOA-lBwaU
