Former title challenger Michael Chandler has said that he feels that Justin Gaethje has the Dana White privilege like Chandler. When Michael Chandler got into the UFC he fought Dan Hooker in his debut fight. He won the fight via first-round KO and was immediately given a title shot against Charles Oliveira as they both fought for the vacant UFC lightweight championship as former champion Khabib Nurmagomedov had retired. During the pre-fight press conference of UFC 262 where Chandler fought Oliveira for the title, Tony Ferguson made comments in which he said that Chandler is getting the title shot because he has got Dana White’s privilege.
Speaking to MMAFighting.com ahead of the UFC 268, Michael Chandler said that just like him Justin Gaethje also gets Dana White privilege because of the entertainment Gaethje brings in all his fights. He made some fair points from his side stating they both got the Dana White’s support in their UFC career.
“Justin Gaethje got the same amount of preferential treatment. The same amount of Dana White privilege. Whatever you want to call it. He came from outside the UFC, came in, got a top-five guy right away. If he would have beat Eddie Alvarez, he would have gotten a title shot. He lost to Eddie Alvarez, which made him go fight a couple more fights. He’s been in some big commercials.”
“He’s been in big fights. He’s headlined cards. He and I have had very similar roads. I think he deserved it because he earned it. He probably in his heart of hearts believes that I deserved it and earned it but he needs to convince himself that I am seeking attention or I’m an attention seeker and I’m a fake and a phony and whatever things he has said,” Michael Chandler said.
“More than anything, a guy who doesn’t deserve the treatment that I’ve gotten thus far but you’ll find the older you get and the longer you do things, those who ask and those who say yes to opportunities, usually end up making it further than those that don’t or those that fight the powers that be. I’m not here to fight the powers that be. I’m here to fight the guys that they put me up against and Justin Gaethje’s the next one. Whether he loves me, whether he hates me, I know he respects me.”Michael Chandler said.
Do you guys feel Michael Chandler and Justin Gaethje got some special opportunities handed over to them?
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Michael Chandler says Justin Gaethge got Dana White privilege
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