Michael Chandler stepped forward with an offer to replace Khamzat Chimaev on Adin Ross’ live stream after Chimaev reportedly demanded a staggering $700,000 fee. This Khamzat Chimaev stream replacement offer quickly caught the attention of fans, sparking widespread online reactions and discussion surrounding the situation.
Adin Ross, known for his close connections to UFC president Dana White and the organization’s leadership, has hosted several combat sports stars, including Manny Pacquiao and Alex Pereira, on his platform. Ross revealed during a recent broadcast that Chimaev’s camp had set a $700K price tag to appear on his stream, a figure he found excessive and laughed off.
“I just want to tell you something really funny. I don’t care, I’m going to air it out. I connected with someone from Khamzat’s team, and the guy said $700k to stream with Khamzat. I never laughed so hard in my life. Yeah, it was insane.”
— Adin Ross, Streamer
Michael Chandler Proposes a More Affordable Alternative, Fans React Sharply
Soon after Ross shared this information, Michael Chandler contacted the streamer to offer his presence on the show for a significantly lower amount. Chandler’s willingness to take a more economical approach to joining Adin Ross’ stream did not sit well with many fight fans. The backlash was swift and vocal, as many people criticized Chandler’s move in the comments section of his social media posts.
Some fans expressed strong disapproval of Chandler’s offer, one user commenting:
“Please have some shame man, wtf is this?”
— Unnamed Fight Fan
Others echoed similar sentiments, describing Chandler’s proposal as humiliating and inappropriate given the context.
Michael Chandler’s Past Comments on Conversations Involving Khamzat Chimaev
Chandler has previously made notable remarks about Khamzat Chimaev, particularly regarding discussions surrounding other UFC fighters. When Bo Nickal, a decorated three-time NCAA wrestling champion and UFC prospect, first entered the promotion, there was buzz about a potential matchup between Nickal and Chimaev. While Nickal appeared open to the idea, Chandler discouraged early talk about facing the wrestling phenom.
At a UFC 285 press conference, moments before Nickal’s UFC debut, Chandler advised the newcomer to focus on more realistic opponents rather than rushing into high-profile talk about Chimaev or Jon Jones fights.
“I think it’s a little bit unbecoming to come into the UFC off the Contender Series and start talking about Khamzat Chimaev and fighting Jon Jones or whoever he is fighting. At some point, you’ve got to just play the game as well. You’ve got to grow, but grow at the right rate… Bo is getting a little too talky for the average fan’s liking. If I were his manager, I’d say, ‘Hey, let’s talk about realistic matchups, but don’t talk about Khamzat Chimaev.'”
— Michael Chandler, UFC Fighter
Implications of This Development for UFC and Adin Ross Engagements
This episode highlights ongoing tensions about fighter compensation, marketing, and fan engagement in combat sports media. Adin Ross’ platform continues to be a prominent venue for fighters to connect with fans outside the octagon. The reported $700K demand from Chimaev’s camp underscores the growing monetization of such appearances, while Chandler’s offer positions him as a more accessible alternative for stream collaborations.
As fighters and influencers negotiate fees for digital content, the response from fans illustrates how this dynamic impacts reputations and public perception within the MMA community. It remains to be seen how these interactions will influence future negotiations or fighter participation on streaming platforms linked to UFC and its associates.