Former Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler is set to make his octagon debut on Fight Island at UFC 257.

Chandler’s promotional debut will be a three-round co-main event bout against City Kickboxing product and number six ranked lightweight Dan Hooker.

Many fans are looking at Chandler as an anomaly, not knowing what to expect from the UFC newcomer ahead of his first fight in the promotion.

But those who know the sport well have seen time and time again that Chandler is a proven commodity whose accolades speak for themselves.

A three-time Bellator world champion in the lightweight division, with victories over former UFC lightweight champions Eddie Alvarez and Benson Henderson, Chandler is not to be overlooked.

However, despite his credentials, and despite the fact that he deserves recognition for his accomplishments in the sport, albeit not with the UFC, plenty of casual fans are looking at the card asking who Chandler is.

“The hardcore fans know exactly who I am,” Chandler said. “The hardcore fans, quite frankly, know that I deserve to be at the top of this lightweight division.”

Chandler also acknowledged the lack of incentive for top ranked lightweights to introduce him to the octagon.

As a newcomer without a number next to his name, a fight against Chandler poses a small reward with a high risk. A loss to Chandler would create far more uncertainty than a loss to Charles Oliveira or Justin Gaethje due to their rank in the division.

“To the average guy, or even to these guys in the UFC, nobody wanted to be the first guy to dip their toe in the water and challenge me,” Chandler said. “I commend Dan Hooker for stepping up and saying yes.”

With a dance partner for fight night, and the fact that he’s fighting underneath the biggest pay-per-view draw in mixed martial arts, he knows he has a perfect opportunity to make his name known worldwide.

“To be the co-main event on what could be the biggest card of the year for my first fight in the UFC and fighting a top five opponent,” Chandler said. “The only thing bigger than being in the co-main event on a Conor McGregor pay-per-view is actually being in the cage with Conor McGregor on a pay-per-view.”

Evidently, Chandler has some solid foresight for a “newcomer.”

“When things go well on Saturday night, that could be what’s next.”

Welcome to the UFC, Michael Chandler.

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Article source: https://www.mmaweekly.com/michael-chandler-relishes-debuting-on-a-conor-mcgregor-pay-per-view

(ALSO SEE: Sean Shelby’s Shoes: What’s next for Michael Chiesa after UFC on ESPN 20 win?)

Neil Magny’s pursuit of welterweight title contention was brought to an abrupt halt by Michael Chiesa in the UFC on ESPN 20 main event.

Magny (24-8 MMA, 17-7 UFC) had his three-fight winning streak snapped Wednesday when he lost a unanimous decision to Chiesa (18-4 MMA, 11-4 UFC) in the headlining bout at Etihad Arena on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. With that, he goes back to the drawing board.

What comes next for Magny after a tough loss? Watch the video above for thoughts and analysis on his future after UFC on ESPN 20.

Breaking, Neil Magny, UFC on ESPN 20, video, News, UFC, Videos

Article source: https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/01/neil-magny-next-fight-matchmaker-ufc-on-espn-20-loss-michael-cheisa

(ALSO SEE: Sean Shelby’s Shoes: What’s next for Neil Magny after UFC on ESPN 20 loss?)

ABU DHABI – The second UFC main event of the year was all Michael Chiesa as he dominated Neil Magny on Wednesday at UFC on ESPN 20.

With the unanimous decision win over Magny (24-8 MMA, 17-7 UFC), which took place at Etihad Arena on Yas Island and aired on ESPN, Chiesa (18-4 MMA, 11-4 UFC) remains perfect since moving up to the welterweight division in December 2018. He’s won all four of his fights in the weight class, and now it’s obvious he’s going big game hunting.

Chiesa offered an ambitious post-fight callout of Colby Covington, but that fight might be out of reach for the time being. That doesn’t mean he won’t get someone of similar ranking.

Watch the video above to see whom Chiesa should fight next after UFC on ESPN 20.

Article source: https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/01/michael-chiesa-next-fight-matchmaker-ufc-on-espn-20-win-neil-magny

ABU DHABI – Ricky Simon beat Gaetano Pirrello with a second-round submission Wednesday on the preliminary card at UFC on ESPN 20 in Abu Dhabi.

Take a look inside the fight with Simon, who won for the second straight time and got his first stoppage since April 2018.

Gaetano Pirrello vs. Ricky Simon

Result: Ricky Simon def. Gaetano Pirrello via submission (arm-triangle choke) – Round 2, 4:00
Updated records: Simon (17-3 MMA, 5-2 UFC), Pirrello (15-6-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC)
Key stat: Simon landed seven takedowns and 72 percent of his total strikes for a 50-10 advantage.

Simon on the fight’s key moment

“I always feel good when I go out there and execute a game plan. I’m always on myself about what can I do better. I talk to my coaches about what can I improve on. I’m definitely happy with going out there and executing the game plan.”

An arm triangle seals the deal for @RickySimonUFC 💪 #UFCFightIsland8 pic.twitter.com/SfoFImXwJN

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) January 20, 2021

Simon on being in it for the long haul

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – JANUARY 20: (L-R) Ricky Simon prepares to take down Gaetano Pirrello of Belgium in a bantamweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Etihad Arena on UFC Fight Island on January 20, 2021 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

“I’m just one of those guys that’s not going away. I can fight the best any given night, or if those guys are busy they can throw whoever they want at me like tonight. I’m going to do what I do.”

Simon on what he wants next

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – JANUARY 20: (R-L) Gaetano Pirrello of Belgium punches Ricky Simon in a bantamweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Etihad Arena on UFC Fight Island on January 20, 2021 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

“I feel great. I’ve been in camp for a while. I was supposed to fight (Brian) Kelleher back in September and went through a full camp. I stayed with Alex Perez and did a two-month camp for him for his world title fight, then jumped right back in for this one. I’ve been in nonstop camp, but I feel good. As long as my coaches are OK with it, I would like to get back in there soon.”

To hear more from Simon, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.

Breaking, Ricky Simon, UFC on ESPN 20, video, News, UFC, Videos

Article source: https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/ricky-simon-quick-return-against-anyone-ufc-on-espn-20-video

Nate Diaz could very well return to the octagon in 2021. And whoever he ends up fighting, the event will no doubt be big.

UFC president Dana White, for his part, recently hinted that he has what sounds like a fun fight in mind for the popular Stockton, Calif. native. But he’s not ready to spill the beans on who he has in mind to meet the competitor we haven’t seen since his memorable UFC 244 “BMF” fight against Jorge Masvidal.

So who could it possibly be? Our “Spinning Back Clique” panel of Mike Bohn, Danny Segura, and “Gorgeous” George Garcia weighed in during this week’s episode.

You can watch in the video above.

Article source: https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/01/ufc-nate-diaz-mystery-opponent-2021-next-fight