Morning report: Chael Sonnen: Khabib Nurmagomedov told me that if Michael Chandler beats Islam Makhachev, he will be ‘number 1 contender’

Next weekend, UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov will defend his title against Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 on Fight Island. But before “The Eagle” flies off again, he’s doing his best to find one of his most trusted teammates.

Nurmagomedov’s sparring partner Islam Makhachev was supposed to face former lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos next weekend on the main card at UFC 254. Unfortunately, dos Anjos was pulled from the undercard after testing positive. for COVID-19 and, during the fight to find a Replacement, Khabib suggested that Tony Ferguson should fight Islam, and his manager Ali Abdelaziz even offered to pay Ferguson $ 200,000. Ferguson turned down the offer and, unable to find a replacement opponent for Makhachev, the UFC ultimately removed him from the card. But while the chances of a fight next weekend are slim, Khabib has now switched from Ferguson to targeting another big name: former Bellator champion Michael Chandler.

On his YouTube channel, MMA analyst and former title challenger Chael Sonnen reported that he spoke with Khabib, who told him that if Chandler fights Makhachev and wins, Khabib would see him as the top contender.

“(Khabib) said, ‘Chael, I watch your videos, I need to tell you something. I want to make this very clear, ”Sonnen recounted. “He said, ‘There is no one closer to me than Islam.’ And he said, ‘I’m telling you right now, if Michael Chandler beats Islam, I’ll see Michael Chandler (as) the number one contender, and I want you to get the message across.’ I said, ‘Okay, Khabib, when I get the message I’ll say you called me, you told me this.’ He says, ‘That’s what I’m doing. Send that message. ‘

Chandler is the latest addition to the UFC lightweight division. Competing there for most of his career, Chandler won the Bellator lightweight title three separate times and wrote his name in the Bellator record books. But this summer, Chandler finally left Bellator and signed with the UFC, causing a sensation by doing so. Although he has never competed in the promotion, Chandler has been given a significant opportunity at UFC 254 as the main event reserve competitor. If Khabib or Gaethje are forced out of the fight, Chandler will make his debut competing for a UFC title. And since he and Makhachev are already in Abu Dhabi and were preparing for fights, a last-minute fight between the two could still be manageable and Sonnen believes Chandler would be willing to do it.

“I was wondering just a little bit why they told me that in terms of there is no way that Chandler is offered Islam and Chandler said no,” Sonnen said. “Usually when I get a phone call like this, it’s because a guy doesn’t come to the table. I’d be surprised to hear that happen. I’m pretty sure to tell you that that didn’t happen. I am very confident. Michael Chandler will step in and fight anyone. In fact, he’s waiting for that call to come. ”

With the prospect of a real title shot on the line, maybe Chandler is. At 34, Chandler is nearing the end of his best fighting years, and therefore has little time to lose. Something like this could give you a shortcut to the front of the line at 155. However, there is the problem here that Khabib has said something similar to someone else before.

In response to constant questions about who he might pick to fight next if he beats Gaethje, Khabib has previously stated that whoever defeats Dustin Poirier is who he would consider worthy of a title shot, even if that man were his best rival Conor. McGregor. And depending on fate, things seem to be tending toward a McGregor-Poirier fight early next year, which means Chandler may need to act fast because, as Sonnen pointed out, Khabib is a man of his word.

“I think this is really simple. Islam needs to ask Chandler: ‘Do you want to fight me?’ Get Sean Shelby involved and make the fight, ”Sonnen concluded. “I am in that game. Khabib just sweetened the pot. He didn’t say Chandler would be next, he said, ‘I’ll see him as the number one contender.’ We all know what that means. Khabib is a man of honor. He is a man of respect. . . If Khabib sees you as the boy, you will be the boy who will face Khabib. “

As always, friends in high places are worth having.

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Results. See the Bellator 249 results.

Perspective. Khamzat Chimaev assesses potential opponents: Darren Till ‘is not my level,’ Demian Maia ‘may drown him.

Vote. Joaquin Buckley has a different vote for the all-time knockout, responds DM James Krause.

GP. Bellator’s featherweight grand prize bouts are set with Daniel Weichel versus Emmanuel Sanchez, AJ McKee versus Darrion Caldwell.

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What the hell.

Fight Island Staredown.

Korean Zombie Highlights.

Khabib’s training camp continued.

The fighters predict Khabib against Gaethje.

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Past fights. Jack Slack talks about Ortega versus Korean Zombie and Cory Sandhagen.

Unfiltered CFU. Interviews with Chan Sung Jung and Katlyn Chookagian.

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Great fan.

Ready to scrap.

Opinion.

Dodson says he will return.

Fight poster.

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Rousimar Palhares (19-10-1) vs. Antonio Gordillo (13-3); Taura MMA, Oct. 2. 3.

Daniel Weichel (40-11) vs. Emmanuel Sánchez (19-4); Bellator 252, November 12.

AJ McKee (16-0) vs. Darrion Caldwell (14-3); Bellator 253, November 19.

Anthony Smith (33-16) vs. Devin Clark (12-4); UFC Fight Night, November 28.

Mallory Martin (7-3) vs. Polyana viana (11-4); UFC Fight Night, February 13.

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All BS aside, Islam Makhachev is actually the correct debut opponent for Chandler. Nice guy outside of the top 10, joined by one of the biggest names in the division. If Chandler beats Makhavchev, it’s very easy to sign him into a No. 1 contender fight, and if he loses, it’s a huge victory for Makhachev. A lot to gain on both sides and both men will just be sitting there in Abu Dhabi. They really should make that happen.

Thanks for reading, enjoying the fights, and seeing you all on Monday.

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