ABU DHABI – Michael Chandler is usually as level-headed and calm as they come but, after his first-round TKO of Dan Hooker at UFC 257, the former three-time Bellator lightweight champion turned the volume up to 11 in his post-fight interview.
Chatting to Jon Anik inside the octagon after his victory, Chandler (22-5 MMA, 1-0 UFC) let fly with an epic promo that had put a knowing grin on the faces of longtime pro wrestling fans watching the event.
“I tell y’all this. This is the greatest moment in my professional life!” he began, before taking aim at the UFC lightweight division’s biggest names.
“Conor McGregor! Surprise, surprise! There’s a new king in the lightweight division! Dustin Poirier! Your time is coming! And Khabib! If you ever do see fit to grace us with your presence back here in the UFC octagon in your quest for 30-0, you’ve gotta beat somebody. So beat me, if you can! God bless! See you at the top!”
His post-fight interview evoked memories of a famous promo cut by pro wrestling legend Ric Flair and, speaking to reporters, including MMA Junkie, backstage after the fight, he revealed why he decided to take a page out of “The Nature Boy’s” book.
“I thought about it a couple of times,” he grinned. “The origination of that was actually (Daniel Cormier) and Ariel (Helwani) talking about why I was in the (EA Sports UFC) video game.
“Ariel said I shouldn’t have been in the video game (because) I hadn’t fought in the UFC yet, but DC was like, ‘Well, yeah. But he’s Ric Flair. He came over from WCW and he got the title shot right away. Everybody was mad, but he’s Ric Flair.’
“So it’s kinda funny. I’m actually not the biggest WWE/pro wrestling guy, but it was ‘the best day of my professional career.’ I didn’t do the whole ‘tear in my eye’ thing, though, I thought that was a little too over the top. And the callouts came after that.”
Michael Chandler reveals inspiration behind ‘Ric Flair’ promo after UFC 257 win
