The biggest point that UFC 257 managed to prove is that odds don’t matter much in this game. The results of both the co-main and the main events didn’t go as per the predicted odds. While Dan Hooker was expected to spoil Michael Chandler’s UFC debut, he himself fell victim to Iron’s left hook in the first round.
Talking about the main event, Dustin Poirier emerged victorious in a very unexpected fashion. He knocked out McGregor in the 2nd round. Needless to say, McGregor‘s prowess in the first few rounds is the biggest threat inside the Octagon.
The way Chandler dropped Hooker in the very first round shows that he’s ready to take the lightweight division by storm. But what’s next in the UFC for him?
With no Khabib, the division needs someone to represent it
The way things are going on in this division, Michael Chandler might be next competing for the belt. With Dana White seeming skeptical about Khabib Nurmagomedov‘s return and The Diamond’s second-round KO win over McGregor, the next fight making the most sense is Dustin competing for the belt.
But who’s going to be the opponent? Michael Chandler possesses a strong resume as the 2 time Bellator champion. Plus, he has knocked a 6th ranked UFC lightweight contender in his UFC debut. So, Poirier’s opponent might very well be Chandler himself. But, it’s all up to the UFC president Dana White.
But if Dana White still wants Iron to prove his mettle against the UFC fighters, he can certainly book him up against higher-ranked men. The best fighter for this job might be Justin Gaethje, Charles Olivera, El Cucuy, and Conor McGregor himself. It is to be noted that McGregor is one of those fighters who Chandler had called out after his UFC debut win. So, this fight is one of those which makes sense for Chandler at this point.
Let’s see who Chandler fights next. But don’t forget to let us know in the comments who you think Michael Chandler’s next opponent might be.
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