UFC star Michael Chandler is geared up and raring to go on debut

Michael Chandler knows his way around the octagon very well Chandler is a former threetime Bellator lightweight champion and also won the Bellator Season Four Lightweight Tournament Chandler has a mixed martial arts record of 26 fights 21 wins 9 by KO 5 losses The 34yearold is now heading to Ultimate Fighting Championship UFC and will be making his debut at UFC 257 against Dan Hooker The main event for UFC 257 will be Conor McGregor vs Dustin PoirerAhead of his big UFC debut MMA star Michael Chandler discusses his focus Khabib Conor McGregor his future plans and moreExcerptsThis is your second time to Fight Island tell us about your experience during the first time being a backup to Gaetje as compared to having a fight scheduled nowMy first trip to Abu Dhabi was a good one I always knew there was a slim chance to fight at Fight Island The first time I had to deal with the time change and other stuff but this time its different because there is the pressure of the fight but also the excitement and motivation The last time I probably wasnt going to fight but still had to make 155 pounds The fighting part is easy making the weight is the toughest part for me Now I see familiar faces that I saw on Fight Island months ago I am starting to get to know my new colleagues who I will be rubbing shoulders with in my career ahead I am excited about my UFC debutWhat are your thoughts on making your UFC debut on such a high profile cardIt could not have been scripted any better for the first chapter of my UFC career I came over as a big signing and the fans wanted me to fight right away but it could not happen It seems like a long process but to be the comain event on what could be the biggest card of the year for my first fight and facing a top fighter like Dan Hooker someone who is going to bring it brings in a lot of hype The bigger thing than being in the comain event is actually being with Conor McGregor on a PPV That could be whats next if things go well and I can check out both boxes in 2021 I am here to stay and here to achieve that goal That first step is Saturday night on a big PPV with a lot of eyeballsHow do you stay focused and do you feel pressure because of it being a big stage debut Also Khabib saying he would want to see something spectacular to come out of retirementNot really I know 100 per cent for certain that this card is much bigger than it is inside my mind At the end of the day it is the exact same sport and it is what I did for the 26 previous matches in my career Letting the outside pressure will only hinder my performance As far as Khabib making a comeback if he sees something spectacular I expect myself to be spectacular every single time I perform There is no added pressure when it comes to Khabibs statements I want to go out there and do my job I would like to fight Khabib by the end of 2021 Khabib has preserved a spot as greatest lightweight of alltime so he has the right to sail off into the sunset and never fight again But if he feels the itch to come back why shouldnt it be meWith a win over Hooker what would be nextIf I dominate Hooker there are 2 options Conor or Khabib would want to fight me Thats probably the biggest conundrum to be in MMA To have the gold staring at you and the greatest undefeated MMA fighter in Khabib greatest Test of your career Then you have Conor the biggest name the biggest hype and probably the most money as well I would forego more money notoriety celebrity status to fight for the gold the championshipTell us what are you feeling knowing you will be fighting in the UFC octagonI think its gratitude I have been fighting outside UFC for a long time I have dreamt of this moment for a long time as well as the pressure that comes along with it But honestly I do not feel any I feel like Im in a winwin situation and the blank page is ready for me to write the first chapter for me in UFC and what my career is going to look like I am where I need to be physically mentally and spirituallyWhat makes Dan Hooker a dangerous opponent How do you plan on dealing with his paceDane got one of the biggest hearts in the division probably the hungriest in it He can dish out and take damage as well He got all the physical attributes and skillsets to be a champ I have left no stone unturned in preparation and game planning He poses a lot of threats but that gets me excited I have to go out there and earn it and thats a recipe for success for meIs there anyone on the division beyond the top 6 that caught your attentionI study watch fights buy PPVs and watch them with my wife I am always interested in the lightweight division My eye is set on beating Dan Hooker and moving up toward no 1 Everyone in that top 10 is one way of becoming a contender I have always operated with the thought that its ok to give props to your competitorsDo you feel Dustin is approaching McGregor fight with the right mindsetIf you know anything about Dustin is that he thrives in the battle he relishes the challenges Thats when he pulls something out of the shelf to become that champion that he is Conor has some of the most precise and powerful hands in the division He can put away anyone with that right hook If Poirer can avoid that right hand we will see a great fight in the next roundsWatch UFC 257 featuring fighters like Conor McGregor Dustin Poirier Dan Hooker and Jessica Eye on January 24 2021 LIVE and Exclusive on SONY TEN 1 and SONY TEN 3 Hindi channels from 830 am IST