UFC President Dana White broke the news that former two-time Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler will take on Dan Hooker in his UFC debut. White revealed that they were working on Charles Oliveira vs Michael Chandler.
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However, the match-up couldn’t see the light of the day after Oliveira failed to make the weight. Needless to say, this is exciting news for fight fans around the world who were waiting for Chandler’s first test inside the UFC Octagon.
Ever since UFC signed the highly touted prospect in the form of Michael Chandler, rumors have been rife about who he is going to face in his welcome bout. There were reports of a potential Chandler vs Gaethje bout to determine the next title challenger. However, if Dana White is to be believed, that won’t be the case.
“Chandler will be fighting Hooker,” White announced.
Dan Hooker is coming off a “Fight of the Year” performance against former interim champion Dustin Poirier. Needless to say, he will look to make a statement return as he takes on welcomes Michael Chandler side the Octagon. Earlier, he had teased in an interview given to Submission Radio, that he has accepted his next fight. However, at the time he had given no confirmation on the opponent.
Michael Chandler vs Dan Hooker to take place in 2021
It was reported that Hooker could take on Rafael dos Anjos who made his return to the lightweight division earlier this year with an emphatic unanimous decision victory over Paul Felder.
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“They got something else for me. I am in a training camp at the moment.” Hookeer said, “I have a fight that is being offered to me and I have accepted the challenge.”
Michael Chandler has been in the limelight for quite some time now. He was also the back-up fighter for Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Justin Gaethje at UFC 256 and teased a potential showdown against Tony Ferguson last month. Be that as it may, Dan Hooker is a tough challenge. Should he get past the New Zeland fighter, Chandler could look at a possible title opportunity with another win inside the Octagon.
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While the UFC has not officially announced the bout, it looks like the hugely anticipated bout could serve as the co-main event of UFC 257: Conor McGregor vs Dustin Poirier.