Michael Chandler shared what Justin Gaethje needs to do to beat Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 254
Michael Chandler might be the standby for the Justin Gaethje vs Khabib Nurmagomedov clash at UFC 254, but he is more than ready to step up.
The former Bellator Champion conceded that chances are slim of him getting to feature at UFC 254. However, he was happy to be at Fight Island and get to know the people he will be working with now.
Chandler was a huge free agent signing by the UFC and it seems he is ready for a shot at the top guys.
Khabib vs Gaethje is for the UFC Lightweight title and Chandler has his eyes on gold. He was asked how Gaethje could beat Khabib.
Gaethje has just two losses in his MMA career while Khabib has none. Chandler, however, believed one version of Gaethje was the best in the world and wanted that to feature at UFC 254:
“Justin Gaethje is an absolute animal inside the cage. I think the Justin Gaethje that stepped into the cage against Tony Ferguson was arguably the best lightweight on the planet that night.”
Wrestling Khabib is the key
Chandler claimed that the hard-hitting Gaethje with his wrestling experience could take Khabib down.
He also brought up Khabib’s struggles against Al Iaquinta and added that a similar game plan could frustrate the Russian:
“If that Justin Gaethje shows up, calm, composed, confident, throwing heavy leather. We know he has good wrestling because he was an All-American, I watched him wrestle in college.
“I know he is a good wrestler, a scrappy wrestler. He’s got to stop that take down, and as we saw in the Khabib vs Iaquinta fight, when Khabib can’t take you down, it kind of throws him off his rhythm.”
This is also going to be Khabib’s first fight since the passing away of his father, and Chandler brought up the mental game in this clash too:
“As well as, I don’t think he has ever fought a competitor and a dog like Justin Gaethje. I love that Gaethje isn’t talking about Khabib’s technique, he’s talking about Khabib’s mindset and his heart, his soul, his spirit.
“How is Khabib going to react when he sees his own blood when he gets into the deep waters, when he gets into the deep-seated fistfight with a guy like Justin Gaethje.”
Khabib vs Gaethje is going to be an excellent fight and Chandler should get a close look at both stars. He is dreaming of UFC gold and could end up challenging the winner of this clash sooner rather than later.
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