Michael Chandler

Michael Chandler says he “can’t wait to prove” Khabib Nurmagomedov wrong after recent comments

Michael Chandler is on Fight Island serving as the backup fighter for the lightweight title fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje.

Although many fans are hoping to see Nurmagomedov vs. Gaethje, if Chandler has to step in, the undefeated Dagestani champion expects to win rather easily. During fight week, the champ didn’t hold back on his comments and said Chandler isn’t a high-level fighter.

“I think I don’t even need to use my wrestling versus Michael Chandler, that is what I think. I know he came here to Abu Dhabi, but he’s going to come here, make weight and go home,” Khabib Nurmagomedov said to TSN. “This is what I think, thank you Michael Chandler. Go home and fight with other fighters. He’s not a high-level championship fighter in UFC because two-fight ago he lost in another organization. He lost to in Bellator to a featherweight, he knocked him out. He has to improve himself, he has to show the world he can fight for the title and fight with someone who is top-five in UFC and then we can talk about him.”

The comments must’ve been seen by the former Bellator lightweight champion who took to social media to say he can’t wait to prove the champ wrong.

Can’t wait to prove you wrong @teamkhabib …see you soon,” Chandler wrote.

Michael Chandler is riding a two-fight winning streak over Benson Henderson and Sidney Outlaw with both wins coming by first-round knockout. In his Bellator career, he had notable wins over Eddie Alvarez, Patricky Freire, Brent Primus, and Marcin Held.

Khabib Nurmagomedov is solely focused on Justin Gaethje but if Chandler has to step in, he is confident he will defend his belt. Down the line, there is a chance the two do end up meeting especially if Chandler fights and beat someone like Tony Ferguson or Dan Hooker.

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Cole Shelton
Cole Shelton covers MMA for BJPenn.com, MMANews, and MyMMANews.com while also being the lead MMA odds writer for Sports Betting Dime