UFC president Dana White demonstrated to ESPN's Brett Okamoto why his organization gave longtime Bellator MMA champion Michael Chandler a championship shot despite just one fight in the UFC. Chandler's "attitude," according to the UFC president, is what helped him land the gold medal fight this weekend at UFC 262.
“His personality, and clearly the knockout of [Dan] Hooker, is what got him in this place...
“I love this kid's attitude,” White said.
Chandler knocked out Hooker in the first round at UFC 257. It was the 35-year-first old's UFC victory since spending the bulk of his career with Bellator MMA, where he was a three-time lightweight champion.
However, Chandler is actually rated No. 4 in the UFC's official lightweight rankings, and he has managed to earn a spot to compete for the vacated UFC lightweight championship against No. 3-ranked UFC lightweight challenger Charles Oliveira at UFC 262 on May 15.
White clarified how much of this came to be, because that is thanks to the strength and popularity of UFC superstar Conor McGregor.
How UFC 264 Affected UFC 262
White said that Dustin Poirier was "the man" who actually deserved to compete for the belt, but "The Diamond" decided to fight McGregor instead.
Poirier knocked out McGregor at UFC 257 four months earlier. The two fighters will now square off in an instant rematch at UFC 264 on July 10.
“Well, Dustin Poirier was ‘the man,' and he wanted to take the Conor war, as he should have done. It's just what he should have done,” White added. “These fights...occur only once in a blue moon. He made the correct decision.”
White also stated that rendering UFC 264: Poirier vs. McGregor 3 a reality was the best decision for McGregor.
“It is the war that makes sense. You finish the trilogy. Coming off the second fight, the way it went down, the way things turned out, you totally, definitely do the fight,” White added.
Poirier is rated No. 1 at 155 pounds, and McGregor is the most famous UFC fighter in the world. White could not clarify how the division's No. 2 ranking candidate Justin Gaethje might be left out in the cold, and he was not questioned about it either.
UFC 262: ‘Both Guys Are on a Tear'
Regardless, White is looking forward to seeing what happens on May 15 at UFC 262: Oliveira vs. Chandler.
“Both of these guys are on a roll. First and foremost, Michael Chandler, I admire this kid's attitude. He's ready to challenge anybody, anywhere,” White added.
White praised Chandler for acting as the backup fighter for UFC 254 in his first appearance with the organization last year, after leaving Bellator MMA to enter the UFC.
He also mentioned Oliveira's firm claim to the other position in the battle for the vacant strap. Oliveira enters his battle for gold on an eight-fight victory streak after dominating former interim champ Tony Ferguson in his last fight.
“The longevity of Oliveira, the fact that this man has just risen up the rankings, working it out, and just managed to beat and conquer people, this is an amazing main event,” Oliveira said.
As a result, White anticipates a fun main event for UFC 262.
“Both guys are extremely hungry for this tag. “It only adds to the excitement of the fight,” White said.
White Shares His Thoughts On Tony Ferguson
White anticipates more exciting battles in the lightweight category in the future.
“There are only too many tough guys and so many enjoyable battles you can make,” White said.
Although several observers believe the winner of UFC 262: Oliveira vs. Chandler will meet the winner of UFC 264: Poirier vs. McGregor 3, the UFC's lightweight division is one of the most deep in the sport.
So White predicted that if UFC hero Tony Ferguson wins this weekend against Beneil Dariush, he might make his way back into the mix.
“It's a huge struggle for him, guy. He's a big crowd favorite, because if he steps in and shines, he'll be right back on top of the game. “We only have to see which Tony Ferguson turns up,” White said.
Ferguson vs. Dariush is the co-main event for UFC 262.