Michael Chandler vs. Dan Hooker formal for UFC 257 on January 23rd

It’s official: Bellator import Michael Chandler will make his UFC debut towards #5 rated lightweight Dan Hooker in the co-key celebration of UFC 257 on January 23rd.

The bout, which has been in the operates considering the fact that December 22nd, was unofficially verified by Dana White all through an job interview with nasally newshound The Schmo two times in the past. Now the business has caught up with their president and promotion of the battle can commence.

The bout adds some a great deal required hearth to the Conor McGregor vs. Dustin Poirier undercard, which was earlier lacking a great deal in the strategies of star electricity or essential rated fights. Before Chandler vs. Hooker was introduced, it was seeking like a women’s flyweight bout in between Jessica Eye and Joanne Calderwood may possibly serve as co-key, which … jeez. When you are jacking the selling price of the PPVs up, it does not support sooth supporters to start with such a slender undercard.

Chandler is a a few time Bellator light-weight champion and was 1 of the promotion’s greatest stars for a 10 years, going toe to toe in opposition to the ideal at 155 which include Patricky Freire, Eddie Alvarez, Akihiro Gono, Will Brooks, and Benson Henderson. He departed the group on a gain, handing Benson Henderson his next job knockout loss.

Dan Hooker is just one particular of the scorching fighters coming out of New Zealand’s Town Kickboxing together with fellow Oceanians Israel Adesanya, Alexander Volkanovski, and Kai Kara-France. A battle of the yr contender in opposition to Dustin Poirier snapped a 4 struggle winning streak but cemented his position among the elite of the UFC light-weight division. It will be a rough challenge for Chandler, but also a large chance to action correct into the best 5 rankings with a large win.

And of program, with COVID-19 lurking in the background, there’s usually a chance Chandler or Hooker could conclude up staying moved up into the key event owing to a beneficial exam. But let’s hope that does not take place. Battle Island undoubtedly looks far more safe than the questionable bubble preserved all over the UFC APEX, so as soon as fighters get there in Abu Dhabi we can start respiration easy.

Here’s the lineup for UFC 257 as it stands: