Michael Chandler Excited About Potential Islam Makhachev Matchup Ahead Of UFC 281: “I Think I Can Take Him Down”
UFC lightweight contender, Michael Chandler, is excited about a potential matchup with newly crowned lightweight champ, Islam Makhachev.
Chandler spoke with reporters at the media day for this Saturday night’s UFC 281 pay-per-view event in New York City ahead of his clash with former interim UFC lightweight champion, Dustin Poirier, and explained if he were to be victorious this weekend, why he likes his chances against Makhachev.
“I honestly think my wrestling will stop his attacks,” Chandler said (h/t MMA Fighting). “I think I can take him down. I think I can match him grappling for grappling and I think in the striking department I’ve got more power, I’m faster, and I have better hands. That’s me speaking confidently, obviously, a ton of respect for him. But I do think it’s the most intriguing matchup in the lightweight division. There’s not a better wrestler on the lightweight roster than me. My credentials speak for themselves, being a Division-I All-American is kind of the epitome of wrestling accomplishment. So I think I match up extremely well. I think I beat him, but that’s what we all say. That’s what Charles said, that’s what I said about Charles. So hopefully we see that fight early 2023.”
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