Chandler Introduces Himself to UFC Fans With a Bang
Former Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler made a huge statement when he knocked out Dan Hooker in the first round. Chandler crossing over to the UFC has been a dream of many hardcore MMA fans for a long time. Many questions surrounded the potential crossover for years and many fans were skeptical of Chandler's ability to handle UFC lightweights. It's safe to say he erased any doubt in the minds of the fans that he could handle the top of the UFC's lightweight division in his last fight. Dan Hooker is one of the best strikers in the UFC and on paper this was a really tough fight for Chandler matchup-wise. Beating Hooker spoke volumes about how dangerous Chandler is and his future in the organization as well.
Chandler Passed a Huge Test With Hooker
On paper Dan Hooker was about as bad of a matchup as there could be for Michael Chandler. Hooker is a very tall and large lightweight, abnormally so at that. In addition to his advantageous base attributes Hooker has good counter wrestling tactics and lots of weapons that are dangerous to opponents who like to change levels like Chandler. Long knees and clinch knees are very dangerous weapons that one can employ against both shorter opponents and those who look to shoot in on the legs. Knee fighters are good at punishing these opponents because their head level is lower, which makes knees easier to land, and when they do they are devastating. It is a tried and true tactic to clinch a strong puncher like Chandler to shut them down. I thought that Hooker would be able to stop Chandler with knees from the plum clinch or time one of his level changes and land a big long knee to end it. I was clearly wrong, as Chandler stopped the fight in the first round and proved a lot to supporters and detractors alike.
What’s Next for Chandler?
While Chandler’s first-round KO over Dan Hooker screamed title shot to many, but the front runner for the next title shot didn’t seem to think so. At the UFC 257 post-fight press conference Dustin Poirier suggested that Charles Oliveira is a more deserving candidate for a title shot than Chandler, which makes this fight unlikely to materialize immediately. With all signs pointing to a fight with Poirier being off the table right now, it’s time to evaluate some other options for Chandler’s next opponent.
Justin Gaethje, Tony Ferguson, or Conor McGregor
I would like to see Chandler take on Justin Gaethje, Tony Ferguson, or Conor McGregor next. Chandler is being billed as one of the UFC’s most violent and aggressive fighters, so it would make sense to have him face one of those three next. Chandler matches up very well against Tony and would be likely to win, but if Tony could survive long enough for Chandler to punch himself out he is likely to win. Against Gaethje, it’s a close fight as both fighters have deep division 1 wrestling backgrounds and hit extremely hard. Chandler and Gaethje always move forward and will walk through strikes like zombies, but have different styles of striking. This matchup has war written all over it. To win this fight Gaethje must use his inside low kick to disrupt Chandler’s brutal hand combinations and Chandler must land to the body to slow down Gaethje. As for McGregor, I would expect Chandler’s size, wrestling, and athleticism to be too much for the Irishman, but it would be a massive statement win on Conor’s road to redemption.
Takeaway
Michael Chandler made a massive statement at UFC 257 and proved that he could handle elite UFC competition in the process. The fashion in which Chandler won placed him within striking distance of a shot at the lightweight title. With the Dustin Poirier fight seemingly off the table, Chandler has some interesting options that would lead him to a shot at the title. Chandler has talked a lot of trash to Conor McGregor in the past, and now is an opportunity for Chandler to capitalize on this favorable match-up vs. a high-profile opponent. Tony Ferguson is another name that would create a compelling and assuredly violent challenge for the UFC’s newest lightweight contender. Finally, the matchup that I believe makes the most sense for Chandler is Justin Gaethje. A fight between Gaethje and Chandler would assuredly be an action-packed one and would unofficially crown the winner the most violent man in the UFC. In addition to being the most violent man in the UFC, the winner of this hypothetical match-up should get a shot at the title.
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