In a fight scheduled for Madison Square Garden on November 12, Chandler (23-7 MMA, 2-2 UFC) will take on Poirier (28-7 MMA, 20-6 UFC). There was a verbal exchange between two of the best lightweights at UFC 276 in July, and the audience took it to mean that they didn’t get along.
But Chandler says that a lot of what he and Poirier have said has been taken the wrong way.
“I think it’s just a tug of war between two dudes who’ve got the same goal,” Chandler said.
“His goal is to step into the octagon and beat me, get his hand raised and continue to prove that he’s one of the best in the world. I have the exact same goal. ” There are some things that have been said. He disrespected me right away and said he’d rather sell hot sauce. I said I’m a bigger draw than him. We’ve said some things that maybe we do believe, maybe we don’t really believe. Maybe it was something we got caught up in the moment on these microphones. ” He just goes hard. But we’ve put together a great game plan. I trained with one of his former coaches and some of his former teammates. I’ve been to (American Top Team) and trained at ATT years ago as he got Mike Brown in his corner, who is a genius. He’s got these guys who know me and my style well. I know him and his style well. ” There’s an immense amount of tape out there on him. There’s a decent amount of tape out there on me. So may the best man win on Nov. 12. But I can tell you this: I’m coming to put my foot on the gas and get that title shot that I think I will have after I win. “
