For weeks now, Michael Chandler, Dustin Poirier, and the UFC have teased a potential fight between the two lightweights. Today, it was revealed that the two are in agreement and currently finalizing a date, but oddsmakers have been quick to the draw, and it looks like they’re backing Poirier.
Both Poirier and Chandler recently lost to champion Charles Oliviera, Chandler has begun his build back with a win over Tony Ferguson, but another top-five victory for either man will go a long way.
However, the more recent title challenger in Poirier looks to enter the bout as the favorite, originally opening at -200 with Chandler sitting as a +170 underdog. Since then, however, Poirier has moved to -168 and Chandler to +142 via Fanduel.
Meaning, that those who bet on Chandler stand to earn $1.42 per dollar wagered, while it will take a bet of $1.68 to win each dollar on Poirier.
Outside of the loss to Oliveira, Poirier has been on an absolute tear, with two wins over “The Notorious” Conor McGregor and a winning battle with Dan Hooker coming prior. Chandler, although coming off of a win over Tony Ferguson, is 2-2 in the promotion, having sustained major damage in both losses. With the educated boxing prowess of Poirier, it is a dangerous matchup which is likely the cause for the odds.
Here are the opening odds for the pair’s last five fights.
Dustin Poirier’s last five fights
- vs. Charles Oliveira (L): -165
- vs. Conor McGregor (W): +120
- vs. Conor McGregor (W): +150
- vs. Dan Hooker (W): -165
- vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov (L): +205
Michael Chandler’s last five fights
- vs. Tony Ferguson (W): -155
- vs. Justin Gaethje (L): +120
- vs. Charles Oliveira (L): +146
- vs. Dan Hooker (W): +140
- vs. Benson Henderson (W): -185