Gaethje Vs. Chandler Could Serve As UFC 257 Backup

Michael Chandler may end up becoming a main event backup yet again.

As Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) gears up for the return of former champion Conor McGregor next month at UFC 257 the promotion must cover all angles. This includes the possibility of McGregor, or main event dance partner Dustin Poirier, needing to pull out of the headlining rematch for one reason or another.

UFC president Dana White is well aware of the importance of McGregor’s return and is fully on board in creating a backup plan for UFC 257’s main event.

“Yeah, listen if we are going to be out in Fight Island and you have a massive fight with McGregor you have to have a backup,” White told TSN’s Aaron Bronsteter.

Bronsteter pushed for more information and asked if a lightweight matchup between Justin Gaethje and Michael Chandler could serve as UFC 257’s backup plan.

“It could be,” replied White.

At this time, we don’t really know what the promotion is thinking as far as an insurance plan for McGregor’s rematch with Poirier at UFC 257. Neither fighter is prone to pulling out of fights, but with the current COVID-19 landscape anything is possible. Something needs to be put in place in case “Notorious” or “Diamond” are forced to withdraw.

For Chandler, he already stepped in as a backup at UFC 254 this past October for Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Gaethje. That main event stayed in tact so Chandler never got his opportunity to make his Octagon debut. Gaethje ended up losing to Khabib via second-round submission.

What say you, Maniacs? Should Gaethje vs. Chandler serve as UFC 257’s backup plan?

Sound off!

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