[chatter]
>> I kinda wanted you to sit on here if you can.
>> That's where I was going.
[laughing]
Can we take this to the pool?
Once you're finished all this?
You're standing there like a sulker.
>> It took me 3 hours to inflate it.
[laughing]
>> [bleep] better not pop today.
If I pop it, you're gonna be pissed.
>> Hold that.
>> The energy just around this week,
I feel like it's pretty high.
Especially in your division, obviously.
You've got a Khabib decision, you know, on Saturday.
And you've got Conor arriving in a yacht.
How do you take all that?
>> I'm definitely, you know, there's some moments.
I'm a fan of the sport myself.
I'm sitting there and watching it all happen, so it's--
>> That was good! That was a good one.
>> It's giving me energy and I see the buzz.
You know, Khabib saying that
you put on an impressive performance,
the main event or co-main event might get a title shot.
>> How are ya?
>> Hey, brother. You good?
>> Yeah, it's been awhile.
>> Initially what attracted me to the fight
was being the fill-in
for the Conor McGregor/ Dustin Poirier fight.
Then once I learned the skillset of Michael Chandler,
what he's accomplished,
what he's capable of,
what he's done.
He wanted this fight.
He's here because I'm the guy that took the fight.
I stepped up to the plate and I took--
I was one of the first guys who put their hand up,
and I said, "Man, I'll welcome Michael Chandler to the UFC."
I like that fight stylistically.
>> I think so few fellow lightweights
wanted to welcome him to the UFC.
>> It's a big risk.
You know, you're taking on a fighter
that's not ranked in the UFC.
That's why everyone ahead of me
turned the fight down, because they didn't
wanna risk their spot in the lightweight division.
>> We're gonna plop you right here.
They're gonna announce the media
and kind of cycle them through questions at a time.
>> I'm someone that welcomes a new challenge,
because I'm battle tested in the UFC.
I've earned my spot.
I've proven that I deserve to be here.
Well, let's see if he does.
>> Thank you very much, Dan.
That's all the time we have for you today.
[chatter]
>> How are you, bud. >> Good to see you, brother.
>> That was good, man.
Size him up.
Say hello.
Tell him it's gonna be good to compete against him.
Let's go.
>> Trying to get that first fight signed
was a-- was definitely a process
and glad we got a contract signed with Dan Hooker.
He said yes, when a lot of guys said no.
He's stepping up.
He's taking a big risk.
At the end of it all, you had a bunch of guys
who didn't want to be the first one
to dip their toe in the water.
And Dan Hooker said yes.
What's up, boys.
How are you? >> You good?
>> I'm good.
Fans who haven't seen my fights,
I only know one speed.
I'm always gonna have my foot on the gas.
And it's always gonna be entertaining.
Get on the edge of your seat.
Have your popcorn ready.
Because we're gonna have a good time.
>> That's all, thanks. >> I appreciate you.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Is this the same one from last time?
>> No, it's a new one.
>> That's a brand new one?
>> Yeah.
>> But isn't that only there one week?
>> Yeah.
>> One week? >> Yeah.
>> That's one week?
They didn't save any room for us.
The world.
>> We are now joined by UFC lightweight,
Michael Chandler.
Michael, thank you very much for joining us today.
>> To me, I just operate with a lot of gratitude
for all of this.
The fact that people are interested
in what I'm doing is a very humbling experience.
Because there will come a day
when the reporters stop calling.
So I always think about that.
This is the right moment
and this is definitely the right stage.
Make sure I put my best foot forward at all times.
And I feel like I was under utilized
for a really long time.
Now I'm getting the opportunity to show the world
who Michael Chandler is
and Saturday night I get to show them
who I am with my fists.
[water splashing]
[chatter]
>> Dustin: I understand the challenge in front of me.
I understand that the guy's dangerous
and I know that he's a good athlete,
his timing is good.
And recognizing that and admitting it,
that has drove me all training camp.
To show up here in my best,
most focused, and in position to perform.
>> I think my calves are getting soft
from that damn little, like, little hill hits.
>> It's a championship walk.
>> It's a championship walk right there.
I mean, it's not super intense but
he likes it.
It helps keep his weight down.
Makes him feel good.
You know, keeps him in shape.
>> This my guy Rob, man.
Been here since day-- since day one the beginning.
Got me Ultimate Fighter tryout.
Started managing me when I was,
like, 19 years old probably.
>> I like that.
>> Damn, iPhones take good pictures.
Fighting has given me
everything that I have in my life.
It's allowed me to grow and become the guy I am
and introduced me to a lot of things
that I wouldn't have been exposed to.
It's given me the life that I have.
It's a beautiful thing.
>> Talk me through the weekend.
How does this main event play out?
>> I'm gonna put on a flawless performance here,
an absolute clinic.
I'm excited all across the board.
I'm confident.
All my skills are on fire at the minute, you know.
Pinpoint precision.
My kicks, my punches, my knees,
my wrestling, my grappling, my clinch,
but there is respect there for sure.
A lot of admiration for the man,
but I'm gonna bust him up.
You know what I mean?
There's no, there's no doubt about it.
There's no if, ands, or buts.
He's getting bust up.
Thank you.
>> Daddy's finished!
>> I'm sure you've been asked about the fight,
sort of every which way. Now you've done the media.
You're back on the circuit again,
but you still sticking with that 60-second prediction?
>> Yeah, I am.
I don't, you know, I don't foresee him
being able to withstand the power.
However, I do want rounds in here.
So if we can get past that mark,
I'll be celebrating, for sure.
So I'm eager to go.
And then also there's, you know,
they've been saying about like conditioning issues
and these type of things that.
That's like, that's a slight on my name.
And you know, part of me may want to just
bust him up and take a back step
and get into the later rounds.
That's-- that's what I see possibly happening.
>> Making that walk with a limited scope of fans,
does that require an adjustment on your end?
Or is that even maybe something you're looking forward to?
>> I was excited to get in with no crowd for sure.
I was eager to hear my power and velocity
with no crowd noise behind it.
Because it's a unique sound,
the four-ounce glove clattering off
the side of the face, especially my shots.
Now, a couple of thousand fans, for my power,
it will still translate.
So I'm excited to get in and to create highlights.
That's what it's about, you know what I mean?
At the end of the day, everything is belts and money.
All of this comes and goes.
The highlights live on, and that's it, yeah.
I want to compete and perform
and put on my highlights and that's it.
[cross talk]
>> We're gonna sign the posters now.
>> Wanna help me sign a few posters?
There are posters for the fans.
This is my 10th UFC main event.
That's an exclusive club, by the way.
10 UFC main events.
So I'm excited about that.
So I've got 10 posters anyway.
So, the UFC made me a poster.
I remember it was a poster competition.
So the fans created a poster
between me and Max Holloway/ And one of them won it.
Turns out Holloway wasn't even on the poster.
[laughing]
He wasn't needed on the poster.
Neither is Dustin, God bless him.
Look, here's the posters.
Look!
Get one of the chairs, so he can see.
See!
Give him a marker for the poster.
What's your signature, champ?
One, two.
Yeah.
And again.
Yeah.
And again.
Again.
My man.
Tell you what, kids, that'll sell major in a few years.
Quick.
I'm pretty-- very pretty happy to be able
to bring them with me
and give them these experiences.
I mean, we're all in it together.
Part of family.
Last one, champ, you ready?
>> Yes. >> Silver for the last one?
>> No, gold, baby.
>> Platinum.
>> Perfect, my man.
High five.
High five, champ.
Oh yeah.
Thank you.
You're probably hungry, champ.
That's what it is.
What about a nice two-piece?
>> Yeah. >> Yeah.
>> And a bit of red sauce? >> Red sauce.
Of course, can't have chicken without red sauce.
[dramatic theme music]
♪♪