“Time for Round 3” – Eddie Alvarez calls out old foe Michael Chandler for a trilogy fight


“Time for Round 3” – Eddie Alvarez calls out old foe Michael Chandler for a trilogy fight

Eddie Alvarez (L), Michael Chandler (R)

Michael Chandler just went through war with Dustin Poirier at UFC 281. He couldn’t win, but that is not to say that his stock didn’t rise exponentially.

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Michael Chandler has arguably not been in a boring fight in the UFC yet – whenever he steps out on the canvas, he delivers on the most barnstorming affairs. UFC 281 was no different affair – Chandler arguably won Round 1, but definitely won Round 2 against Dustin Poirier, because of ground control.

However, now Michael Chandler finds himself 2-3 in the UFC over the span of two years. A win over Poirier would have left him in good standing in the lightweight division, but now that he has lost, it’s unclear where he goes from here.

Amidst uncertainty, ex-UFC lightweight champion, and Chandler’s opponent in Bellator, Eddie Alvarez has called him out for a trilogy on Twitter. The Tweet read, “Hey brother @MikeChandlerMMA @ufc I Think it’s time or round 3. Rest up Champ then give these Fans what they want.

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The two have fought twice before – in their first fight in 2011, Chandler was able to pull off a rear naked choke and dismantle the American while the rematch went Alvarez’s way. The result might have been different, but the nature of the fights was equally competitive.

Related- “He is the biggest name” – Michael Chandler asks Conor McGregor to return to his “first love” MMA and fight him

Eddie Alvarez could eye a fight with Michael Chandler if he does make his return to the UFC

Eddie Alvarez (in front) become the UFC lightweight champion by defeating Rafael Dos Anjos
Eddie Alvarez (in front) become the UFC lightweight champion by defeating Rafael Dos Anjos

At the age of 38, Eddie Alvarez has accomplished just about everything a competitive mixed martial artist would want out of his career. The cherry on the top is the lightweight title in the UFC, despite eventually losing it to Conor McGregor.

Alvarez also fought the likes of Justin Gaethje and Dustin Poirier – he truly is a battle-tested veteran of the sport. After his exit from the UFC In 2018,  he fought four times in the ONE Championship, with a mixed run – that is, he was 1-2, 1 NC in the promotion before his eventual amicable exit.

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Also Read- “Champions never stay down” – Kamaru Usman stands beside Israel Adesanya after the shocking turn of events at UFC 281

Since, he called for a return to the promotion that made him a big name. Enjoying free agency, Alvarez has been publicly pushing for a UFC return. It might seem possible, given his champion status in the promotion – but, Dana White seemed to be hesitant about it at the UFC 281 post-fight press conference, saying that the UFC actively looks for ‘young and upcoming’ fighters to recruit to their roster.

However, things can change very fast in the world of MMA – hence, if Alvarez does return to the promotion, Michael Chandler would be the perfect man to welcome him back to the canvas.

Also Read- “He’s fighting cancer?” – Israel Adesanya leaves fans shocked as he compares his medical condition with late actor Chadwick Boseman at UFC 281

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