Michael Chandler takes us back to his unforgettable debut. Order UFC PPV on ESPN+ ➡️ https://ufc.ac/3NKBvmx (U.S. only) …
Michael Chandler’s journey in the Octagon started when he defeated Dan hooker in Abu Dhabi at UFC 257 with a co-main slot on a star studded lineup the powerful lightweight was determined to make his UFC debut an unforgettable one demonstrating his explosive power he instantly solidified his place as a contender in the UFC lightweight rankings Iron Mike takes us back to that iconic performance in day one I made my UFC debut in Abu Dhabi at UFC 257 against Dan hooker Dan hooker was one of the scariest guys inside the lightweight division he had Wars with Paul Felder Wars with Dustin porier the guy had no quit in him so we knew we had a tall order both physically and literally yes a little bit of nerves going into that one because Dan hooker was such a dangerous opponent and you’re also making your UFC debut as the co-main event of a Conor McGregor versus Dustin porier pay-per-view the stage was set but it was a huge one Abu what’s going on Welcome to the ceremonial weigh-in ceremonial weigh-ins was somewhat surreal because I’ve watched them on TV or on the computer online so many times in my career the ceremony ways that’s where the fight really starts the first fight is making weight within the ceremonial ends that’s where you start to feel the buzz and then you get to stand in front of your opponent you get to make eyy contact you get to size him up you get to see the look in his eyes that was the beginning of UFC 257 for me we are thrilled to welcome you to UFC 257 UFC 257 was just huge there was something welling up inside me that said this was about to be the greatest performance of my life just such a ridiculous range of emotions I was overwhelmed with gratitude being back there getting my hands wrapped my eyes were welling up with tears I was crying these grateful tears because I was thinking about my son and the sacrifices we’ve all made I was thinking about my wife and the sacrifices that she has made I felt like I was in the exact right moment where I was supposed to be so here he is iron Michael Chandler making his much hyped UFC debut making the first walk to the Octagon it felt like home I had seen it in my mind a thousand times because I visualized it I knew that I left no stone unturned to my preparation and I knew that I did every single thing that I needed to be successful so when you have that kind of confidence all bets are off and you can just move forward and take the fight as it may one of New Zealand’s best and one of the toughest fighters to have ever graced that UFC Octagon lightweight Contender Dan hooker when I’m looking across the octagon and Dan hooker standing there tall proud confident dangerous I made it my goal in that moment and I was going to go put his lights out iron Michael Chandler take it on Dan hooker immediately we met in the center of the Octagon I wanted to get in his face I wanted to put the pressure on him take him out of his game plan see Chandler already very aware of that low cap kick that hooker likes to throw I knew he was going to throw kicks as he started throwing kicks try to be cognizant of them try to be mindful of them check them or move my leg out of the way couple faints couple fast movements let him know the kind of athlete that I am the power and explosiveness that I possess go hard to the body lands to the body there go hard to the shoulders and now goes up top and lands make him feel that power push kick now for Chandler star open up a little bit Chandler getting right in the face of Dan hooker what a h to start second guessing where I was going to be I wanted to impose my will I wanted to get him on his back foot because if a guy Retreats it’s just the beginning of the end for him big KN covering up maximizing the de eventually the right hand to the body set up the switch overhand left landed right on the jaw come on man you cannot get hit by a Powerhouse like Michael Chandler he drops hit him with a couple shots in the head Mark GD gave him every opportunity to stay in the fight you want to talk about making a UFC debut Michael Chandler just did it as good as he can I was on cloud N9 declaring the winner by GK irich thank you Jesus this is the greatest moment in my professional life surprise surprise there’s a new King in the lightweight division God bless see you at the top I think my UFC debut exceeded my expectations it was every single thing that I ever dreamed of it being but more it was just awesome [Music]