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Michael Chandler signs with UFC, will serve as backup for Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Justin Gaethje

Michael Chandler is the latest former Bellator MMA lightweight champion to join the UFC.

Dana White announced on ESPN’s SportsCenter that Chandler has officially signed with the promotion, ending a run of ten years with Bellator. He also added that Chandler, who doesn’t have a fight booked yet, will serve as the backup should something happen to either Khabib Nurmagomedov or Justin Gaethje prior to the UFC 254 main event. That means that if one of those two men has to withdraw, then Chandler gets either an immediate undisputed title shot vs. Khabib or an interim title bout vs.