Michael Chandler will make his UFC debut on January 23, 2021, and will face Dan Hooker in the main event of UFC 257 at Fight Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. This is a long-awaited opportunity for Chandler to prove his worth in the UFC after spending most of his career in Bellator MMA. Chandler intends to make a strong statement, big enough to possibly earn a fight against Conor McGregor or Dustin Poirier — who will headline UFC 257 — or even a title fight against reigning champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.

” I want to put a stamp on my representation to UFC fans of who I am by finishing off Dan Hooker or dominating him, " Chandler said in an interview. “It really puts me in a position where maybe I'll go out for a Conor-Poirier winner or get the next title fight against Khabib.