"Do it for the BMF belt" - Fans react to Michael Chandler vs. Dustin Poirier fight rumors for UFC 281

Michael Chandler (left), Dustin Poirier (right)
Michael Chandler (left), Dustin Poirier (right)

MMA fans who have played matchmaker will be happy after recent reports suggest Michael Chandler vs. Dustin Poirier is close to being booked for UFC 281 later this year.

Multiple journalists and sources, such as MMA Fighting editor Shaheen Al-Shatti, tweeted out the news that a fight between the pair is close to being finalized, per Ariel Helwani:

"Dustin Poirier vs. Michael Chandler is close to being finalized for UFC 281 on Nov. 12 at MSG. @arielhelwani breaks the news on #TheMMAHour"

MMA fans have taken to social media to react to the news, with one fan suggesting Chandler vs. Poirier should be for the 'BMF' title:

"Do it for the BMF belt...clear the log jams at the top of all these divisions...when your getting in to 3 or 4 repeat title fights you know there's something wrong. Unless it's a VERY questionable decision...youre at least 2 fights away again"

Another fan questioned the legitimacy of the animosity between the pair but believes the winner will get another shot at the 155lb title:

"No bad blood dude. They staged that s*** to hye this up and help keep @DustinPoirier relevant. I imagine the winner will get their second crack at the true LW king. @CharlesDoBronxs beats @MAKHACHEVMMA and both either of these dues, again. @MikeChandlerMMA"

Check out some more fan reactions below:


Michael Chandler believes the lightweight division is "better" when Conor McGregor is a part of it

Despite now being set to face Dustin Poirer, fans likely haven't forgotten that Michael Chandler initially called out Conor McGregor in his electrifying post-fight octagon interview at UFC 274.

Due to uncertainty over the Irishman's return and the added news that McGregor could be looking to rematch Floyd Mayweather, Chandler has also asked fans to cut the former champ-champ some slack because his injury was so severe.

Speaking to Brendan Schaub on Food Truck Diaries, Chandler admitted that the 155lb division is more exciting when McGregor is a part of it:

"We do have to cut Conor a little bit of slack. He broke his leg in half and everybody's calling him names and everybody's calling him out and doing all this stuff... Everybody wants the fight but also the same time let the guy recover. The sport of mixed martial arts and especially the lightweight division is better when Conor McGregor is part of it but he needs to come back at the right time."

The leg-break 'Notorious' suffered in his trilogy bout with 'The Diamond' would have likely ended most fighters' careers. The Dublin-born fighter now has a metal rod inserted into his leg but appears almost back to full fitness after more than a year away from the octagon.

Catch Michael Chandler on Food Truck Diaries here:

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