After a successful UFC debut in January, Michael Chandler immediately got the call from the company brass with a title shot offer. Four months later, the former Bellator lightweight champion was slated to face Charles Oliveira for the vacant 155-pound title at UFC 262.
But not everyone is happy for “Iron” Michael, former interim champion Tony Ferguson being one of them. During the pre-fight press conference on Thursday, that two had this brief exchange that was punctuated by a quotable quote from “El Cucuy.”
“You got this s— handed to you. You got Dana White privilege.”@TonyFergusonXT doesn’t think Michael Chandler earned his title shot #UFC262 pic.twitter.com/s4U6XHLdT9
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) May 13, 2021
Here’s the rough transcript.
Ferguson: You f—ng dodged me too, Chandler.
Chandler: That’s not true.
Ferguson: Every f—ng person out here except for this guy right here that’s sitting next to me (Charles Oliveira). I wanna be real, man. The other side, those other guys are f—ng losers. We’re over here on this side at the victory table.
Chandler: That’s not true, Tony. You could’ve fought me January 23rd and I would’ve done the same thing…
Ferguson: You f—ng said no, man. I wanna be real. You got this shit handed to you. You got Dana White privilege.
Chandler: Ohhh, Tony. Thanks, Dana!
Dana White: HAHAHAHAHAHA
Chandler did say that Ferguson was the top pick for his UFC debut but the matchup fizzled out because of a “mismanaged” situation.
Ferguson will now try to break a two-fight skid as he faces Beneil Dariush in the co-main event.
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