Making his first appearance inside the UFC octagon, three-time former Bellator champion Chandler flattened the typically durable Hooker with a huge left hand midway through the first round at the Etihad Arena, following up with a barrage of ground shots to finish the contest.
It was the perfect introduction to MMA’s biggest stage for the 34-year-old American – and left social media proclaiming that the “hype is real” surrounding Chandler.
UFC boss Dana White had said reigning lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov would be watching events at UFC 257 closely, suggesting that something “spectacular” could lure the Russian out of retirement for one final fight.
Chandler used his post-fight interview to proclaim that there was a new king in town, calling out a host of lightweight rivals including Khabib.
As starts to life in the UFC go, they rarely come more spectacular than Chandler’s in Abu Dhabi.
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