Chandler: Every top-five lightweight turned down a fight, except Conor
Get the Full StoryPhoto by Mike Roach Zuffa LLC via Getty ImagesMichael Chandler understands why no one wants to fight him yet in the UFC, but he s happy Dan Hooker signed on. Former Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler was hoping to make a big splash in the UFC in his first bout. He s having trouble getting top-flight competition to sign on the dotted line to fight him though. Chandler is an intelligent guy, and he understands that there s not a lot to be gained for top guys facing off with him, but he s still a bit disappointed.
He does have a fight lined up for UFC 257 now, against sixth-ranked Dan Hooker. Chandler explained to TSN that he s just happy for the opportunity transcribed by BJPenn.com :
Obviously I wanted to fight, two, three, four, or five before I fought number six. But, beggars can t be choosers, Dan Hooker was the guy who said yes when everyone else said no. Here we go, January 23 we get a great opportunity, I m excited about it.
He says that four out of the top fighters at 155 pounds wouldn t face off with him, except one Notorious man. But he gets it:
Every single one of them in the top-five, besides Conor. They all, and rightfully so. These guys have cut their teeth in this organization. These guys, everybody in the top-five have fought in the UFC s lightweight division for five to ten years, these guys have put their time in, their blood, sweat, and tears. I realize I was an outsider, a newcomer, a darkhorse. I realize nobody wanted to really be the first guy who stepped into that Octagon with me, I completely get it.
Nevertheless, Chandler meets Hooker in the co-main event of UFC 257, which goes down January 23rd on Fight Island. The headliner will see McGregor face off with Dustin Poirier.
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