Morning report: Dana White says she can’t remember a better UFC debut than Michael Chandler at UFC 257

Most of the headlines that come out of UFC 257 will focus on Dustin Poirier’s victory over Conor McGregor (as they should), but in the main co-event, Michael Chandler did everything he could to steal the show. And although he may not have succeeded, Chandler impressed his new boss, Dana White.

The former Bellator lightweight champion three times signed with the UFC last year and made his promotional debut with much fanfare against Dan Hooker on Saturday. Entering the fight, much was said about the leap in the competition between Bellator and the UFC and even Chandler himself called Hooker one of his most difficult fights in the organization, one he picked up because Hooker was the only guy who would agree to fight him . But when the cage door closed on Saturday, Chandler quickly hooked Hooker, knocking him out in the middle of the first round. Afterwards, Chandler jumped into the microphone and made a promo about the two main event fighters and the current lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. It was a sensational debut and it caught the attention of Dana White.

“When the guys come to the UFC for the first time, they usually have a difficult first time on the big stage,” White said at the post-fight press conference. “He didn’t do that. He left and it almost looked like Hooker froze in the first round. Chandler simply dominated him and had an incredible performance. Listen, man, when you get to the platform we had tonight, you make the most of it, and that boy did. Some people did it tonight and some didn’t. “

So impressive was Chandler’s debut that immediately afterwards the MMA community began to question whether it was the most impressive in UFC history and when asked, White struggled to think of a better one.

“That boy fought like he was here for years,” said White. “So yes, I suddenly can’t remember a better one.”

Whether it is the best debut or not is a matter of opinion, but Chandler certainly got into the conversation with guys like Anderson Silva, Junior dos Santos, Ronda rousey and Joe Lauzon. It was not, however, perfect. At least not for White.

After his victory, Chandler climbed to the top of the cage and somersaulted backwards, almost missing the landing and stumbling over the cage.

It was a celebration White regretted when discussing Chandler’s debut.

“Do you hate backflips as much as I hate backflips?” White asked, spontaneously. “They just f * cking – the boy gets his fight in the UFC and then gives a backflip that looks like he’s going to blow his ankles, knees and spine. I just don’t understand the backflip and I don’t like it. Someone will get hurt doing this. “

Fortunately, Chandler was unhurt and will now try to seize the moment of his sensational debut, whether with a title shot or another big fight. Now that he won in the top 10 in the UFC, options abound.

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

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

Warranty. After UFC 257’s triumph, Dustin Poirier guarantees ‘I will not fight Michael Chandler’ next.

Fire Meme. Dana White minimizes the problems of live broadcasting at UFC 257, calling the event “a really good night”.

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

Beef. Conor McGregor fires at Khabib Nurmagomedov for ‘disrespectful comments’ made after UFC 257.

Next. Dana White on Conor McGregor’s future after the knockout defeat: ‘There are two ways this will go … more hungry, or I will end’.

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UFC 257 Post Show.

UFC 257 Post-Fight Press Conference.

Backstage with Poirier post-fight.

BJJ Scout shows a breakdown.

Road to Knucklemania.

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For the next. Matchmaking for the UFC after UFC 257.

Severe MMA. Discussing the consequences of UFC 257.

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Good scene.

Dustin.

Conor.

It looks like goodbye.

Nate.

Score.

Tony.

Floyd.

Manny.

Jojo.

Damn it. Serious. And goodbye.

Pitbull.

Bobby Knuckles.

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Dustin Jacoby (13-5) vs. 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) vs. Adriano Moraes (18-3); ONE Championship, April 7.

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

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There is no one in MMA that deserves it more than Dustin Poirier. One of the really good guys in the sport and that was a big win. Too bad it wasn’t for the belt.

Thanks for reading and see you tomorrow.

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