New York, NY – UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler takes on Dustin Poirier on the PPV portion of UFC 281 on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden.
Chandler (23-7) is coming off a highlight reel KO of Tony Ferguson at UFC 274 in May. Standing in front of him at the most famous arena in the world is Poirier whose resume matches right up with his.
“Just another opportunity honestly. I feel like momentum has been building even with ups and downs. Even with a couple set backs in my UFC run thus far everything has led to this. Once again the biggest stage I could possibly ask for. UFC, Madison Square Garden, and Dustin Poirier arguably the most decorated lightweight we have on the roster,” Chandler told the media on Wednesday.
“Knock him off. Get my hand raised. Continue to stake my claim as the best lightweight in the world, in progress. I believe knocking off Dustin Poirier puts me in line for the title.”
Chandler is 0-2 at MSG dating back to his doctor stoppage loss to Brent Primus in 2017 at Bellator 180.
“I have taken an ambulance ride from Madison Square Garden twice. I have fought at Madison Square Garden twice,” Chandler said with a smile.
“Last one was just precautionary because it was such a war. First one was an injury, but that’s the fight game. So yes I actually have thought about it.”
The matchup with Porier is a highly anticipated one that arguably supersedes either of the title fights above the bout. Poirier is known to be respectful until fight night when he gets into a mindset that he doesn’t like the person he’s fighting.
“I’ve been very vocal talking about how I’ve made fights personal in the past and it just doesn’t workout well for me. I don’t want to see Dustin Poirier in front of me. I want to see a head, which is a target. I want to see two arms and two legs and I want to know that I have a job that needs to get done,” Chandler said.
“I know the scoring system. I know how I need to fight. I know what’s the easiest path to victory, and that’s all I want to see.”
Watch the entire media day scrum with Michael Chandler above. Chandler takes on Dustin Poirier in the featured bout of UFC 281 on Saturday night at MSG.
