Michael Chandler is currently focused on making a good impression on his UFC debut against Dan Hooker at UFC 257, but the former Bellator lightweight champion three times also has his eyes on Nate Diaz.
Chandler would love to have Diaz back in the octagon, take the Californian and ‘hit him in the neck’.
“There is no doubt that I would catch Nate Diaz (and) hit him in the neck,” said Chandler in a recent Instagram Live session (h / t Essentially Sports). “That long, thin, fat body. He’s out of shape, hasn’t been fighting much in recent years. So, I would be down with that. Midwestern boy from High Ridge, Missouri, fighting the boy from Lodi, California. I would appreciate it. So, we’ll see. “
UFC president Dana White said Diaz would return to the octagon in 2021, but did not reveal details about a possible date or opponent.
“We are working on a fight for Nate Diaz right now (at) lightweight and it’s not Tony, but if we do that, I think you’ll like it. It would put him in a very good position if he won the fight and the guy he could be fighting, I think is a great fight for him too. “
Diaz has not fought since his defeat by TKO (medical stoppage) to Jorge Masvidal in November 2019, while Chandler is putting together a two-game winning streak against Sidney Outlaw and Benson Henderson, ending the two men by knockout in the first round.
Chandler promised to start ‘giving the cards’ in the UFC after taking care of business against ‘The Hangman’ in the UFC 257 main co-event next weekend. The long-awaited pay-per-view, which features a light fight between Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor, begins on January 23 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.