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UFC 257 results: Michael Chandler knocks out Dan Hooker in first, puts lightweights on notice

Much was made leading up to Michael Chandler’s UFC debut – and when the time finally came, he delivered.

The former long-time Bellator lightweight champion, Chandler sent a big message to the UFC’s 155-pound division when he finished Dan Hooker with punches at 2:30 of Round 1.

Afterward, Chandler delivered a blistering promo calling out still-champion-but-retired Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor McGregor, and Dustin Poirier.

From the opening bell, Chandler (22-5 MMA, 1-0 UFC) came out flying. Using a ton of pressure, Chandler threw kicks and punches, all the while stalking Hooker (20-10 MMA, 10-6 UFC). A powerful sequence stunned Hooker as the clock approached the midway point of the round. Hooker crumpled to the mat, and Chandler followed up with some more punches. That was all referee Marc Goddard needed to see.

Following the reading of the decision, Chandler took to the microphone and called the win the greatest moment of his professional career. But that wasn’t all as he issued the callout to the three top lightweights.

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The victory marks Chandler’s sixth win in seven fights, with his only loss in that stretch coming to Bellator dual champ Patricio Freire. Chandler now rides a three-fight winning streak.

Chandler, a three-time Bellator lightweight champion who fought for the promotion for a decade and served as one of its faces, made his highly anticipated UFC debut after signing with the promotion last September.

As for Hooker, the New Zealand-based fighter has lost back-to-back fights for the first time since 2010. Prior to the loss to Chandler, “The Hangman” came up short-handed in a unanimous decision defeat to Poirier last June.

The lightweight bout was the UFC 257 co-main event at Etihad Stadium in Abu Dhabi. It aired on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+.

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Twitter reacts to Michael Chandler's thrilling debut TKO of Dan Hooker at UFC 257

Up-to-the-minute UFC 257 results include: