UFC new-boy Michael Chandler hopes to lure Khabib Nurmagomedov out of retirement with impressive UFC 257 win over Hooker

MICHAEL CHANDLER hopes to lure Khabib Nurmagomedov out of retirement with a huge win in his UFC debut against Dan Hooker.

The three-time Bellator lightweight champion will make his octagon bow against the Kiwi a fortnight on Saturday in the co-main event of UFC 257 in Abu Dhabi.

Chandler, who signed with the UFC last summer following the expiration of his Bellator contract, has long been considered to be the best 155-pounder outside of MMA's premier promotion.

And the 34-year-old is hoping an emphatic wrestling-heavy victory over the No.6-ranked Hooker will tempt Nurmagomedov to reverse his shock decision to hang up his gloves last October.

Chandler told : “I want to put a stamp on my introduction for who I am to the UFC fans by finishing Dan Hooker or dominating him.

“It really puts me in a position to where maybe I get the winner of Conor-Poirier or I get the next title shot against Khabib.

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“I think if I go out there and showcase my wrestling skills, too. I mean there’s no doubt I want to go out there and knock Dan Hooker out, but I also want to show the world my wrestling skills.

"I want to put a stamp on good old fashioned American wrestling.

"Maybe I can entice Khabib to come back for the U.S. American wrestling vs Russian Sambo and see if he can get to 30-0 and beat me — if he can.”

Chandler will have to pull off the performance of a lifetime to get Nurmagomedov to consider fighting him as the Russian is dead set on not competing.

Nurmagomedov, 32, retired after his UFC 254 victory over Justin Gaethje, who he defeated via second round submission.

The Dagestani destroyer brought the curtain down on his unblemished career as he promised his mother he would no longer compete without his later father - Abdulmanap - by his side.