Former Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler will finally make his most awaited UFC debut as he takes on top lightweight contender Dan Hooker at UFC 257.
This fight is taking place in one of the most anticipated fights of the year featuring former featherweight and lightweight champion Conor McGregor and former interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier. The fight will take place at Fight Island in Abu Dhabi.
The news was first reported by Brett Okamoto of ESPN.
Official. Hooker (@danthehangma) vs. Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) is on for UFC 257 in Fight Island. A few last minute logistical hurdles needed to be cleared, but it’s now all set. 20 days away. Who you got? pic.twitter.com/y2WkXFcPHR
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) January 3, 2021
Official. Hooker (@danthehangma) vs. Chandler ( @MikeChandlerMMA ) is on for UFC 257 in Fight Island. A few last minute logistical hurdles needed to be cleared, but it’s now all set. 20 days away. Who you got?
Michael Chandler vs Dan Hooker to be the co-main event
Michael Chandler became a free agent after scoring a first-round knockout victory over former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson at Bellator 243 this summer. While he expressed interest in signing with both the PFL and ONE Championship, it was clear that he was also very excited about a potential move to the UFC.
Chandler fought for Strikeforce in 2009-2010, then went to Bellator, where he spent nearly ten-years. He won the lightweight title in 2011 against Eddie Alvarez but lost it to him in a rematch in 2013. That split decision started a three-fight slide that included two attempts to get the belt back against Will Brooks.
In 2016, he beat Patricky Freire to win the then-vacant title. He lost it to Brent Primus in 2017 but beat Primus in a rematch to get it back and become a three-time champion. But in his first defense, he lost it to Patricio Freire, who was featherweight champion at the time, in May 2019.
On the other hand, Dan Hooker is coming off of a decision loss to Dustin Poirier last year and he will be looking forward to getting back into the win coloumn.
Who do you guys think wins in a fight between Dan Hooker and Michael Chandler? Let us know in the comments section below.
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