During Michael Chandler's time in Bellator, there was always talk of how he would match the biggest stars in the UFC.
We were finally allowed to find out when 'Iron' Mike the Switch made in 2020 and signed at the UFC where he debuted against Dan hooker on UFC 257.
The first assignment from Chandler after signing at the promotion was to be the back -up hunter for UFC 254 where one of the greatest of all time hung up the gloves.
The former Bellator champion was in stand -By in case Khabib Nurmagomedov or Justin Gaethje were unable to reach their lightweight Unification Bout.
He had obliged to step in and face the champion, Chandler was convinced that he could have really tested 'The Eagle' based on earlier comments he had made a few years earlier.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Michael Chandler was '100%' convinced that he could beat Khabib Nurmagomedov after UFC 223
In 2018, Michael Chandler made his only performance on Joe Rogan's Jre MMA show who recently produced back-to-back victories in Bellator after losing his lightweight title to Brent Primus.
The last month had a new UFC light weight champion crowned UFC 223 after Conor McGregor was stripped of the title due to inactivity.
Khabib Nurmagomedov stood opposite Tony Ferguson, but after one of the most dramatic battle weeks in the history of the promotion, 'The Eagle' was linked to Al Iaquinta in the short term.
Iaquinta was not the first choice of promotion and he could not win the title that was not weighed under the limit of the championship, but the underdog eventually asked a number of interesting questions.
Nurmagomedov remained unbeaten against the #11-ranged competition and won every round, but the performance itself was not the kind of one-sided Beatdown that many expected.
Iaquinta was able to fight herself and that is something that Chandler believed he could take advantage and told Rogan that he was “100%” convinced that he had defeated the undefeated champion.
“Some cracks in the armor. It showed what happens if Khabib cannot take you down. I mean, it is difficult if the only thing you are always used to dominating does not work and then you are stuck and standing and it is a bit in the back of the striking aspect.
“I have a lot of respect for the man, Mauler. At certain moments he looks unbeatable where I looked at it and other people looked at it and people who fought him spoke about it.”
Michael Chandler called Khabib Nurmagomedov after winning his Octagon debut
After the retirement of Khabib Nurmagomedov on UFC 254, UFC 257 was a big night before the division.
Before Dustin Poirier Conor McGregor put in the main event, a new name entered the Shuffle at 155 pounds when Michael Chandler Dan Hooker stopped in the first round.
In his interview after the fight, Chandler closed his arrival by calling the top names of the division.
“Conor McGregor, surprise surprise, there is a new king in the lightweight division. Dustin Poirier, your time is coming and Khabib, if you ever consider us to enjoy us with your presence here in the UFC Octagon, in your search for 30-0, you have to beat me if you can.”
Chandler would continue against Charles Oliveira for the title that Nurmagomedov left at UFC 262 where he was stopped in the second round.