Tony Ferguson’s jibe that Michael Chandler enjoys “Dana White privilege” was not lost on Michael Chandler. In fact, Chandler is happy to embrace the title, pointing out at the UFC 274 pre-fight press conference that he is UFC president Dana White’s “favorite fighter”.
“I’m sorry Tony, but that Dana White privilege line might be the funniest thing that has ever been said on a microphone in the context of mixed martial arts.
Michael Chandler Fires Back at Tony Ferguson: “He’s right, I am his boss’ favorite fighter”
He’s right, I am his boss’ favorite fighter; I am Dana’s favorite fighter. Dana White privilege is not on the line here. I’ve already got it.”
Ferguson first described Chandler’s “Dana White privilege” in the lead up to UFC 262, which saw Chandler fighting Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight title. Ferguson felt that he deserved the title shot more than Chandler. Although the pair have sounded off at one another via the press since, Chandler insists that there’s no real grudge between the two heading in to Saturday night’s fight.
“It’s all fun. I saw him after the press conference. It’s all respect. He’s going to try to go out there and take my head off, and I’m going to do the same thing. But when it comes to animosity, I’ve got no animosity toward him. He’s all business.
Is it true, is it blunder, is it just lip service? We don’t know. All I know is he’s going to run into a buzzsaw on Saturday night, and my Dana White privilege is not going to make a difference no matter what.”
Michael Chandler, like Tony Ferguson, is riding a losing streak that includes both the fighters in the main event: Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje. Considering that one or the other will be champion at the end of the night, Chandler is chomping at the bit for a rematch.
“There’s not an MMA fan alive that doesn’t want to see me rematch either of those guys, Charles Oliveira, and especially Justin Gaethje in a five-round title fight.
So we’ll see what happens. All I know is I can take care of business on Saturday night. I’ll break bread with Dana and [UFC COO] Hunter [Campbell], and we’ll talk about what’s next.”
Michael Chandler vs Tony Ferguson will take place on the main card of UFC 274 this Saturday night. Do you think Michael Chandler enjoys unfair privilege when compared to the UFC lightweight elite? Will Tony Ferguson prove his worth this Saturday night? Let us know in the comments.
