Islam Makhachev was to fight Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 254 but the Brazilian tested positive for Covid-19 and Michael Chandler could be his replacement
UFC 254 was to see Islam Makhachev taking on Rafael dos Anjos, however, the Brazilian tested positive for Covid-19 and is out of the show.
This was going to be a great fight between a veteran in Dos Anjos and a rising star in Islam. The 29-year-old is considered to be a similar fighter to Khabib Nurmagomedov, the UFC Lightweight champion.
— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) October 8, 2020
While Dos Anjos was upset about losing out on the fight, Islam wasted no time and called Michael Chandler out.
Chandler had only signed for the UFC recently and has been named as the standby for the Khabib vs Justin Gaethje fight at UFC 254.
Chandler also is a former champion from Bellator and many expected him to do great things in the UFC.
Former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier wanted to see Islam vs Chandler:
Let’s goooooo!!!! This is a great idea https://t.co/68bKmtLiyC
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) October 9, 2020
While one fan didn’t believe this was a good move for Chandler since he was the back-up for the title clash, Cormier went on to explain why it is great.
A chance to impress
DC claimed that Chandler would still need to make weight for UFC 254 and could step in if either Khabib or Gaethje missed out due to injury.
Cormier then claimed that should he not get this fight, he can beat Islam and then set up a rivalry with Khabib.
He takes the fight, someone gets hurt, doesn’t make weight etc chandler still steps into main event. On the other hand if all goes to plan he doesn’t make weight for nothing. He fights on same night as champ. He beats Islam and the story with Khabib is built. Makes all the sense https://t.co/J2hmIvw97n
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) October 9, 2020
It does make sense for Chandler to accept this fight against Islam as he would go up against one of the rising stars in the division and make a mark too.
However, it also leads to some questions if Khabib or Gaethje pick up an injury on the eve of the fight.
It would then put Chandler and the UFC in a tight spot as Islam’s fight would be called off to keep the main event on.
Either way, it is a win-win situation for Chandler, and it will be interesting to see what he does next.
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