Michael Chandler says Khabib Nurmagomedov is deservedly viewed as the best lightweight on the planet, but believes he has the skills to dethrone the undefeated Russian and become the UFC lightweight champion.
Three-time Bellator lightweight champion Chandler signed with the UFC last month and was immediately installed as the backup fighter for the upcoming UFC 254 lightweight title fight between Khabib and Justin Gaethje, with the American set to step in as a replacement fighter should either man be forced out of the October 24 event on "UFC Fight Island" in Abu Dhabi.
Chatting to RT Sport from Yas Island, Chandler explained that his motivation throughout his career has always been to test himself against the very best fighter on the planet, and said that label belonged to Khabib.
Also on rt.com 'I'm here for a good time': New UFC signing Chandler promises he is 'ready to beat' lightweight champ Khabib, Gaethje or McGregor"It's always been the number one guy. This has always been the question that gets asked of me all the time. Who's your dream matchup?" he explained.
"My dream matchup is whoever the number one guy is in the world. I sat down with the UFC and I sat across the table from Hunter Campbell and I looked at him and I said, 'Listen. I have not been training to fight the guy that I signed on the dotted line for the last 11 years. I have always been training for your champion, for the number one guy in the world.'
"Back in the day it was Benson Henderson, Frankie Edgar, then all the way through the Rafael dos Anjos, Anthony Pettis, then into the Eddie (Alvarez) era, then the Conor (McGregor) era and now the Khabib era. I've been training to fight those guys since day one.
"So, for me, it's always been, 'Who's the number one lightweight in the world?' The number one lightweight in the world is Khabib Nurmagomedov. He's looked as close to unbeatable as any fighter ever has in the history of the sport. So that's the guy I want to test myself against. That's the guy who it excites me to stand in front of. That's the guy who it excites me to stand across the cage from. So he's the number one guy, I want that number one spot."
Also on rt.com 'See you at the top!' Ex-Bellator champ Michael Chandler signs with UFC, immediately drafted in as backup for Khabib-Gaethje fightFor Chandler to step in at UFC 254, it would mean either Khabib or Gaethje was rendered unable to fight. The former Bellator champion admitted that he understands how that scenario would be a disappointment for the fans and for the UFC, who would miss out on their chosen title matchup, but he also said he'd be ready to step in and take his opportunity with both hands if it happened.
"Either way, it's hard to talk about this scenario without realizing that this is bad luck happening for the UFC with this main event falling off and me stepping in," he said.
"But, if I had it my way, if a fighter does pull out, I would like for it to be Gaethje, so I can fight Khabib and be the number one lightweight in the world on the night of October 24."
Chandler admitted that he has followed Khabib's career closely, and said that he's been preparing to face him for the last few years. And he said that Khabib's style won't present any surprises, and that he believes he has the combination of skills to effectively combat the Russian star's dominant ground game.
"I've always been interested in Khabib Nurmagomedov as an athlete," he explained.
"From day one, from when he first stepped into that UFC octagon, I knew he was a special talent, I knew he was a special competitor. I knew he would eventually be the champion, be the number one lightweight in the world.
Also on rt.com 'Khabib will never fight him': Nurmagomedov VETOED 'The Ultimate Fighter' coaching stint opposite Conor McGregor, claims manager"He's always been a guy I've had my eye on. He's a guy that I've at times emulated and tried to pull things from his style. And he's also a guy that I've trained for, for the last three, four, five, six years. I need to have my game in a place where I can beat that guy, and now I possibly get that opportunity.
"I've always admired his style. He has a very ground-game-dominant style. He lets it be known exactly what his style is gonna be. He's gonna come forward, he's gonna put pressure on you. He's gonna push you up against the cage, he's gonna pick you up and put you down and he's gonna hold you there for 25 minutes if you let him, or until gonna get the finish.
"That's the part of the game where I've always said that I think I have the right recipe to beat a Khabib. Now, Khabib Nurmagomedov is the number one lightweight in the world, but I believe I have the recipe to beat Khabib Nurmagomedov. I believe I am the dark horse of the division."
Now Chandler, who was considered one of the world's best lightweights outside of the UFC, finds himself right in the thick of the UFC's 155-pound title picture, and he said he's ready to transition from newcomer to champion in quick order, and vowed to win the title within the next 12 months.
"I immediately went from outsider to insider to dark horse to champion in the next 12 months," he said.
"That's what I'm going to do, and whether I have to beat Khabib, or I beat Gaethje, or I beat someone else, I will be UFC lightweight champion in the next year."