Michael Chandler wants in on the “baddest motherf*cker” conversation.
Win or lose, Chandler (23-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC) has thrilled fans with his performances since joining the UFC roster in 2020. He has reiterated he wants Conor McGregor next, but who else interests the former Bellator champion?
One option that many, including Chandler, haven’t really considered is “BMF” champion Jorge Masvidal (35-16 MMA, 12-9 UFC), who Chandler is sure would make for a very exciting fight. He says his teammate Gilbert Burns finally will get the Masvidal fight next, but Chandler is open to the matchup, too.
“You tell me who the BMF is,” Chandler told ESPN. “You tell me who the fans, if we did a poll right now, who’s the baddest mother fudger in the UFC? I’ve got a couple awards on my mantel right now. I think I’ll add a couple more – possibly Knockout of the Year, possibly Fight of the Year of 2023. But that BMF belt sure would look good next them.
“Is it a fight that I’ve really thought about a ton in the past? Not really. But tell me that wouldn’t get the juices flowing of the entire mixed martial arts world: Michael Chandler vs. Jorge Masvidal for the BMF belt, ‘The Rock’ walking in with it over his shoulder and then handing it to me 15 minutes later.”
Chandler is coming off a Fight of the Night submission loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 281 at Madison Square Garden. Prior to that, he scored a Knockout of the Year contender against Tony Ferguson at UFC 274 when he blasted him with a perfect front kick to the face.
