Morning report: Dana White says he can’t remember a better UFC start than Michael Chandler’s at UFC 257

The bulk of the headlines coming out of UFC 257 will be centered around Dustin Poirier’s upset victory over Conor McGregor (as they should), but in the main co-event Michael Chandler did all he could. could to steal the show. And while he might not have quite pulled it off, Chandler impressed his new boss, Dana White.

The former three-time lightweight Bellator champion signed with the UFC last year and made his promotional debut with great fanfare against Dan Hooker on Saturday. Entering the fight, the leap into the competition between Bellator and the UFC and even Chandler himself called Hooker one of his toughest clashes in the organization, one he took because Hooker was the only top guy who would even agree to fight him. . But when the cage door closed on Saturday, Chandler quickly worked on Hooker, knocking him out halfway through the first round. Then Chandler hopped on the microphone and cut a promo on the two main event fighters and current lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. It was a complete sensational start and one that caught the attention of Dana White.

“When guys first come to the UFC, they usually have a tough first time on the big stage,” White said at the post-fight press conference. “He did not do it. He walked out and it almost looked like Hooker had frozen in that first round. Chandler was right all over him and put on an amazing performance. Look, man, when you have the platform that we had tonight, you make the most of it, and this kid did. Some people did it tonight and some didn’t.

Chandler’s debut was so impressive that immediately afterwards the MMA community started to wonder if this was the most impressive in UFC history and when asked the question White struggled. to find a better one.

“This kid fought like he’s been here for years,” White said. “So yeah, off the top of my head I can’t remember a better one.”

Whether or not this is the best debut ever is a matter of opinion, but Chandler has certainly engaged in the conversation with guys like Anderson Silva, Junior dos Santos, Ronda Rousey, and Joe Lauzon. It wasn’t perfect, however. At least not in White.

After his win, Chandler climbed to the top of the cage and backfliped out of it, nearly missing his landing and tripping through the cage.

It was a celebration that White lamented while discussing Chandler’s early days.

“Do you hate backflips as much as I hate backflips?” White asked uninvited. “They just f * cking – the kid gets his fight in the UFC and then does a backflip that looks like he explodes his ankles, knees and spine. I don’t understand the backflip and I don’t like it. Someone is going to be hurt doing this.

Thankfully, Chandler didn’t hurt himself and will now be looking to build on the momentum from his sensational debut, whether it’s with a title shot or another big fight. Now that he’s picked up a top 10 win in the UFC, there are plenty of options.

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Results. Dustin Poirier and Michael Chandler scored big knockouts at UFC 257.

Kicks in the legs. Conor McGregor’s leg ‘completely dead’, ‘like American football’ after Dustin Poirier kicks at UFC 257.

Guarantee. After the UFC 257 triumph, Dustin Poirier guarantees “ I won’t fight Michael Chandler ” next.

Fire meme. Dana White downplays UFC 257’s live streaming issues and calls the event a “ very good night. ”

Schadenfreude. Khabib Nurmagomedov reacts to Conor McGregor’s knockout loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 257.

Beef. Conor McGregor hits back at Khabib Nurmagomedov for “ disrespectful comments ” after UFC 257.

Next. Dana White on Conor McGregor’s future after knockout loss: “There are two ways… more hungry, or I’m done.”

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UFC 257 after the show.

UFC 257 post-fight press conference.

Behind the scenes with Poirier after the fight.

BJJ Scout drops a breakdown.

Road to Knucklemania.

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On the next one. Matchmaking for UFC after UFC 257.

Severe MMA. Discuss the fallout of UFC 257.

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Good scene.

Dustin.

Conor.

Looks like a goodbye.

Nate.

Point.

Tony.

Floyd.

Manny.

Jojo.

Damn. Serious. And goodbye.

Pitbull.

Bobby Knuckles.

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Dustin Jacoby (13-5) c. Maxim Grishin (31-8-2); UFC Fight Night, February 27.

Rani yahya (26-10-1, 1 NC) vs. Ray rodriguez (16-7); UFC Fight Night, March 13.

Demetrious Johnson (30-3-1) c. Adriano Moraes (18-3); ONE Championship, April 7.

Eddie Alvarez (30-7, 1 NC) vs. Lapices broth (14-1); ONE Championship, April 7.

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There is no one in MMA who deserved this more than Dustin Poirier. One of the very good guys in the sport and it was a great victory. Too bad it’s not for the belt.

Thanks for reading and see you tomorrow.

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