Michael Chandler believes he’s the only one that can beat UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, but don’t call it a callout. It’s simply an assertion, the the two-time Bellator lightweight champ said.

On the cusp of a chance to win back his belt, Chandler claims many of Nurmagomedov’s countrymen agree with his position.

“There was a ton of people over my social media – all channels – as well as direct messages, people from Russia and from Dagestan, that were very complimentary of me and think I am the only guy that beat Khabib,” Chandler this week told MMAjunkie Radio.

When Chandler (18-4 MMA, 15-4 BMMA) first declared his stance on Nurmagomedov (27-0 MMA, 11-0 UFC), naturally there were critics who questioned why the former champion of another promotion was putting his name beside the UFC champ.

“I didn’t say, ‘Hey, Khabib, let’s fight in November at Madison Square Garden,'” Chandler said. “I made an assertion and a statement and let everyone else pick it apart, whether they like it or don’t like it.”

After the infamous brawl incited by Nurmagomedov at UFC 229, Chandler, who next challenges champ Brent Primus at Bellator’s “Salute the Troops” event in Honolulu, said his position was more well received.

“There’s fellow countrymen that don’t like Khabib, especially when you disrespect your country or your religion like that,” Chandler said. “Obviously, the Muslim culture is not what he displayed, as well as the Russian culture. So there were a lot of people that weren’t happy about that.

“I don’t have a problem with what he did. He was standing up for himself, and there was a dude in (Conor McGregor’s) corner trying to provoke him.”

When Chandler decided to re-sign with Bellator, he did so with the belief that the Viacom-owned promotion was the best business move for his career. But he doesn’t rule out the possibility that he could one day face Nurmagomedov, whether it’s in the octagon or in the Bellator cage.

“Let’s keep this in perspective,” Chandler said. “Yes, I did sign with Bellator, but it was not a lifetime deal. It wasn’t a 10-fight deal. It wasn’t even an eight-fight deal. It will not carry me to the end of my career. There will be more contracts being signed.

“I am still a young fighter. I’m 32, but I feel like I’m 22. So therefore, I can’t imagine declining in skill to where there’s not going to be great opportunities for some ridiculously good matchups. Not to mention, Khabib is getting offered $2 million by 50 Cent, not to mention the fact that Bellator’s roster is ever-evolving.”

This past week, Nurmagomedov gave the UFC an ultimatum, promising to leave the promotion if it fired a teammate who was involved in the brawl. UFC President Dana White has downplayed the stance and said the two sides have patched things up.

Whether or not that’s actually true, Chandler said MMA fans should keep their minds open when it comes to more crossovers. The prospect of seeing two of the world’s best lightweights collide might not be so far fetched.

“To think it’s out of the realm of possibility that Khabib is going to be a Bellator fighter in the next year-and-a-half to two years at only 30 years old, you’re a little bit ignorant to think there can’t be some switching of these rosters in the very near future,” Chandler said.

For more on “Bellator and USO Present: Salute the Troops,” check out the MMA Rumors section of the site.

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