The UFC has the best roster, by far, of any promotion on the planet. That can lead fans to falsely assume the league has all the world’s top fighters.

Former three-time Bellator MMA lightweight champion Michael Chandler made his big show debut vs #6 ranked Dan Hooker at UFC 257 on Saturday night. “The Hangman” was coming off a decision loss to Dustin Poirier that ended a three-fight win streak, and had won performance bonuses in three of his last four fights, including back-to-back Fight of the Nights. 

The odds were in Hooker’s favor, and he got destroyed. Then Chandler got on the mic and delivered a polished, pro wrestling influenced callout of Khabib Nurmagomedov. At the post-fight press conference, UFC president Dana White was asked if he could recall a more impressive debut.

When guys come into the UFC for the first time, they usually have a rough first time on the big stage, said White. He didn’t. He came out and it almost seemed like Hooker froze in that first round. Chandler was just all over him and put on an incredible performance. Listen, man, when you get the platform we had tonight, you make the most of it, and that kid did. Some people did tonight and some didn’t.

That kid fought like he’s been here for years. So yeah, off the top of my head I can’t remember a better one.

The only thing that White didn’t like was Chandler celebratory backflip off the fence.

Do you guys hate the backflips as much as I hate the backflips? asked White. They just f***ng … the kid gets his fight in the UFC and then does a backflip that looks like it’s gonna blow out both f***ing ankles, knees, and his spine. I just, I don’t get the backflip thing and I don’t like it. Somebody’s gonna get f***ing hurt doing that.

Chandler survived both Hooker and the flip, unscathed. UG, do you remember a more impressive UFC debut, and if so, what was it?

h/t Jed Meshew for MMA Fighting