Dustin Poirier takes aim at Michael Chandler as a ‘dangerous fight for him’
The UFC lightweight division is stacked at the top. The division is without a champion at the top for the moment and the fight is beginning to heat up to see who will be challenging for the vacant belt. All the fighters in at the top have been calling each other out for a fight and a hope of a title contender spot.
Michael Chandler is in a good position for a title shot. His recent win over Tony Ferguson put him in title talks but there are others talking as well. Dustin Poirier has also thrown his name in the hat for a contender. He is hoping to use Chandler and his momentum to leapfrog his way into the spot.
“I’m a dangerous fight for him. I think I’m a clean puncher, accurate,” Poirier said on The Fight with Teddy Atlas.via MMA Fighting. “He called out Conor, think Conor is a dangerous fight for him, too. I’m not saying Chandler’s chinny or anything, but he gets hurt in a lot of his fights, and guys like Conor, they can punch. If you’re getting hurt by Tony Ferguson and dropped by [Charles] Oliveira, guys like me, guys like Conor, if we touch your chin, it’s gonna be bad.”
Poirier believes he would easily win over Chandler if the two of them were to meet. Poirier has one of the best resumes in the UFC lightweight division and holds wins over two of the best in the division right now, Justin Gaethje, and Conor McGregor but lost most recently to the former champion Oliveira. A win over a top-five opponent like Chandler could get him another chance. It seem that Chandler may not be on board with this, however.
“I heard what you said. Listen, nobody gives a rip about your wannabe, don’t make sense, lost your shine so you’re trying to steal everybody else’s shine, backdoor MMA math. Zip it,” Chandler responded on Instagram.
Chandler is targeting a bout with Conor McGregor next, and it seems Poirier may have to pursue another route to Oliveira.
