While Michael Chandler is renowned for his fan-friendly style, Henri Hooft hopes his student fights more sensibly later tonight, for both of their sakes.
‘Iron’ is scheduled to go head-to-head with Charles Oliveira at UFC 309 inside the historic Madison Square Garden, New York, USA.
Michael Chandler intends to mix things up against Charles Oliveira at UFC 309
With formidable wrestling skills and explosive power, Michael Chandler is one of the most talented athletes in the lightweight division.
On paper, while his gifts should give him an easy path to victory against almost anybody, the American is often guilty of playing up to the crowd, engaging in wars rather than competing in a manner most likely to secure victory.
However, this time around, with redemption against Charles Oliveira on his mind, things might go down a little differently.
His coach, who’s often watching his protege with his heart beating through his chest, has insisted that he’s worked tirelessly to ensure that the former Bellator champion follows the game plan to the letter.
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In an exclusive interview with Bloody Elbow, Henri Hooft said: “Michael is ready to fight. People know when Michael Chandler fights, something is going to happen. I know people say, ‘You need to work more on his game plans’. Of course, as a trainer, you want results. Wins are the most important thing.
“But the fans make Michael fight too much sometimes in the way they want him to fight, like crazy. We’ve done things a little differently this fight camp. We hopefully have him in the right spot, where he stays a little bit more calm.
“But we never know, that’s why everyone is going to tune in and pay the big bucks to see these guys. It’s the same for Mickey Gall, he also comes to fight. So, we have two guys that are going to show our spirit.
“We talk about Islam Makhachaev; he’s the big fight. First, we need to beat Oliveria, and I have the best seat in the front row. Hopefully, Michael doesn’t give me too many heart attacks.”
Henri Hooft cheers his fighters through The Barbarian ahead of UFC 309
Chandler is blessed with the best of the best when it comes to training, honing his craft at the legendary Kill Cliff, alongside the likes of Gilbert Burns and Shavkat Rakhmonov.
Recently, the gym teamed up with The Liver King, to put 22 fighters through an almighty challenge.
In a testament to their team spirit, the competitors had to walk a mile, carrying two 70 lbs kettlebells, 70 lbs in a backpack,10 lbs ankle weights, and 120 lbs clipped on a sled.
The athletes, including Mickey Gall, went above and beyond to complete the almighty task to earn a $100,000 donation for their gym.
Hooft enthused: “Mickey did the challenge and he’s fighting at UFC 309. That’s so motivational. He said yes to the challenge, he gave his word. A lot of these guys have fights coming up. Even those fighting in Las Vegas, at UFC 310, did the challenge.
“There are people who are fighting at 135 pounds that did the 350-pound challenge. In the hands alone, there were 140 pounds, and they did the challenge in two-and-a-half or three hours. That says something; it’s special.”
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