Michael Chandler says he would take Nate Diaz and ‘slap him on the neck’

Michael Chandler is currently trying to make a good impression on his UFC debut against Dan Hooker in UFC 257, but the former three-time lightweight Bellator champion has his sights set on Nate Diaz as well.

Chandler would love to welcome Diaz back to the Octagon and take the Californian and “ slap him on the neck. ”

“There is no doubt that I would choose Nate Diaz (and) slap him on the neck,” Chandler said during a recent Instagram Live session (h / t Essentially Sports). “That long, lean and fat body. He’s not in good shape, he hasn’t really fought a lot in recent years. So I wouldn’t be okay with that. Midwestern boy from High Ridge, Missouri fighting kid from Lodi, California. I would like to. So we’ll see.

UFC President Dana White has said Diaz will return to the Octagon in 2021, but did not reveal any details about a date or possible opponent.

“We’re working on a Nate Diaz fight right now (at) light and it’s not Tony, but if we get it right I think you’re going to like it. It would put him in a really good position if he wins the fight and the guy he could potentially fight against, I think it’s a great fight for him too.

Diaz hasn’t fought since his TKO (doctor save) loss to Jorge Masvidal in November 2019, while Chandler leads a two-game winning streak against Sidney Outlaw and Benson Henderson, finishing both men via first round knockout.

Chandler has vowed to start ‘giving the shots’ at the UFC after dealing with cases against ‘The Hangman’ at UFC 257 co-main event over the weekend next. The highly anticipated pay-per-view, which features a headlining lightweight bout between Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor, picks up pace on January 23 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE.