Getty
A brand-new UFC superstar issued a bold challenge to some of the biggest names in the sport on Saturday night after scoring a viral knockout over his opponent at UFC 257 in Abu Dhabi. Three-time Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler made his promotional debut for the UFC after signing with the company last year in stunning fashion by stopping dangerous lightweight contender Dan Hooker in just one round.
You can watch the video of that viral knockout below.
RIGHT HAND AND HE’S DONE. 🤯
After tracking down Hooker for the epic knockout victory, the 34-year-old American issued a bold challenge to the likes of Conor McGregor, Dustin Poirier, and UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.
“Conor McGregor! Surprise, surprise! There’s a new king in the lightweight division! Dustin Poirier your time is coming! And Khabib, if you ever do see fit to grace us with your presence back here in the UFC Octagon in your quest for 30-0, you gotta beat somebody, so beat me, if you can. God bless! See you at the top!”
If you missed that post-fight call out, you can watch it below.
When you hit your first bet…
Chandler’s impressive UFC debut could not have gone better for the fighter.
Now, the former Bellator champ appears to be on his way to competing for gold in the UFC, too.
Who Will Chandler Fight Next?
Chandler’s dominant win should put the American in another massive fight later this year.
The biggest and best possible fight for Chandler would probably be an immediate title shot against UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. But most expect Nurmagomedov to remain retired after Conor McGregor’s shocking defeat at UFC 257.
If that happens, Chandler could end up facing Dustin Poirier next.
After all, Poirer’s second-round stoppage win over McGregor in the main event of UFC 257 probably makes him the clear top fighter in the UFC’s stacked 155-pound division right now.
While standing backstage, @DustinPoirier crosses paths with both @MikeChandlerMMA and @TheNotoriousMMA after #UFC257
(via @ufcespanol)
Another potential option for Chandler might be Justin Gaethje.
Gaethje lost his last fight to Nurmagomedov at UFC 254 last year, but the American remains one of the top contenders at 155.
Whatever happens next, Chandler seems to be on his way to securing some massive fights against top-flight UFC competition.
He probably won’t get to face Nurmagomedov, but Poirier and Gaethje could still provide just the type of test Chandler needs for the fighter to be able to prove himself as one of the top UFC superstars in the sport after his late arrival to the promotion.
READ NEXT: PFL’s Claressa Shields: ‘Does She Know Who the F*** I Am?’
Twitter: @Kelsey_McCarson
YouTube: Real Talk with Kelsey and Rachel