Islam Makhachev has called out Michael Chandler after Rafael dos Anjos pulled out from UFC 254
Islam Makhachev wants a piece of Michael Chandler, the newest UFC signing, after Rafael dos Anjos pulled out of UFC 254.
The Brazilian confirmed he tested positive for Covid-19 and will not feature at the event later in the month.
during the UFC 242 event at The Arena on September 07, 2019 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
That has put the UFC in a spin as they look for a new rival for Islam. The Dagestani has called out former Bellator champion Chandler and asked him to step up.
Chandler is serving as the backup to the main event where Khabib Nurmagomedov faces Justin Gaethje for the UFC Lightweight title.
While the American doesn’t have a fight for the card, Makhachev asked him to step up. Islam comes from the same training factory as Khabib and many consider him to have the same set of skills as the champion.
Chandler might be a three-time Bellator champion but Marvin Vettori brought out one problem if he faced Islam.
Wrestling worries for Chandler
While the American has proved to be a quality fighter in the Octagon, the Dagestan MMA stars are well-versed in wrestling.
Khabib and Islam have trained together in the past and the pair accompany each other for their fights.
Vettori suggested that Chandler would be completely out-wrestled by Islam, and it is hard to suggest something else happening:
This I like. I think Islam would outwrestle Chandler any day of the week https://t.co/Ux6UkiYtIV
— Marvin Vettori (@MarvinVettori) October 9, 2020
It will be interesting to see who the UFC pits Islam against next. The 29-year-old is 18-1 in his MMA career and is on a six-fight win streak.
His last outing was against Davi Ramos and he picked up a unanimous decision win against the Brazilian.
However, that fight took place more than a year back, and there could be some rust for the Russian.
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