Michael Chandler has bigger business to attend to than rising UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan.
Tsarukyan (19-3 MMA, 6-2 UFC) called out Chandler, taking aim at his fight IQ. Tsarukyan entered the top 10 lightweight rankings with his recent win over Damir Ismagulov at UFC Fight Night 216.
While Chandler can appreciate a good promo, the former title challenger is focused on netting a mega fight with Conor McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC), who’s nearing a return to the octagon for the first time since July 2021.
“I didn’t respond, because I haven’t even seen him fight,” Chandler said on the “Believe You Me” podcast with Michael Bisping. “Not disrespecting or whatever. I know he fought (Mateusz) Gamrot; I haven’t really seen Gamrot fight either. I appreciate the callout. That’s exactly what I would do if I was him, but no thanks, man. I’m over here talking about Conor and TUF. You think I’m worried about freaking Arman Tsarukyan with a silent T at the beginning of his name?”
He continued, “It was a good callout, good for him. He was coming at me, but that’s not how you get a fight with me, dude.”
Chandler’s UFC tenure has been nothing short of entertaining, delivering Fight of the Year and Knockout of the Year candidates. With McGregor revealing that he’ll be coaching Season 31 of “The Ultimate Fighter,” the 36-year-old thinks he’d be the perfect choice for both the show and McGregor’s comeback fight.
