Michael Chandler brings violence to the Octagon every time he fights.
Michael Chandler seeks to win the UFC Lightweight Championship or fight the best possible fight against the toughest names available. He takes another step toward those two goals at UFC 274 when he faces Tony Ferguson.
“It’s what I asked,” Chandler said during UFC 274 media day. “I’ve always dreamed of coming here and performing under the brightest lights and that’s what they gave me. It’s right where I wanted to be.”
Since joining that bright lights in 2021, Chandler has had some of the most exciting fights in mixed martial arts. He’s 1-2 in the octagon, defeating Dan Hooker and losing to Justin Gaethje and Charles Oliveira. Although he is riding the wave of those two losses in his fight against Ferguson, Chandler is determined to stay on the track and move forward.
“I stopped trying to be perfect a long time ago,” Chandler said. “I’ve had two losses and you realize it’s part of the process.”
This same process helped Chandler achieve a lot of success during his Bellator career as he took the company’s lightweight title three times. Along the way, he’s earned wins over names like Eddie Alvarez, Benson Henderson, and Marcin Heald. This success did not follow him to the UFC, but he is still one of the best fighters in the company.
“I’m Dana White’s favorite fighter,” Chandler said. “My Dana White franchise won’t make a difference no matter what.”
Tony Ferguson needs a win to silence doubters
Ferguson is looking to recover from his losing streak. This came after a 12-fight winning streak that began in 2013. In this race alone he defeated several notable names in the UFC including Donald Cerrone, Anthony Pettis, Kevin Lee and Rafael Dos Anjos. He was a man Chandler always watched.
“Tony Ferguson was top of the class at the time,” Chandler said. “He was seen as one of the best lightweights in the world. He was the guy I wanted to fight from the start and now we have to do it on Saturday night.”
Even when Ferguson is on that slip, Chandler views him as a worthy opponent he can’t be underestimated.
“It’s probably at its most severe,” Chandler said. “The thing that makes Tony so scary is that he’s so unpredictable is that there’s no man alive who can help you prepare for him. That’s why everyone will be on the edge of their seats and that’s why we’re going to steal the show.”
UFC 274: Charles Oliveira vs. Justin Gethje takes place on Saturday, May 7, 2022, live from the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Follow up with FanSided MMA, located on the site, for all the news and highlights.
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