Michael Chandler News
Michael Chandler dubs Justin Gaethje the UFC’s “toughest” lightweight: “Ferg is craziest...Poirier most skilled”
Harry Kettle - August 26, 2021
Michael Chandler has given a quick overview of who he believes to be amongst the elite of the elite in the lightweight division. Chandler has had a fascinating start to his UFC career dating all the way back to when he played the role of alternate for the Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Justin Gaethje fight. Since then he’s gone on to finish Dan Hooker before almost doing the same to Charles Oliveira, only to ultimately lose via strikes early in the second round.
Michael Chandler believes Dustin Poirier should prioritize a fourth fight with Conor McGregor over a title shot against Charles Oliveira
Harry Kettle - August 10, 2021
Michael Chandler has said if he was Dustin Poirier, he’d wait for a fourth fight against Conor McGregor as opposed to a UFC lightweight title fight against Charles Oliveira. Dustin Poirier is riding high right now after beating McGregor for the second time last month. The win firmly cements him as one of the best lightweights on the planet and, as such, takes “The Diamond” into the number one spot when it comes to pursuing a title shot.
Justin Gaethje doubts UFC 268 will take place at Madison Square Garden: "New York City sucks"
Cole Shelton - August 6, 2021
Justin Gaethje doesn’t think UFC 268 will take place at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The pay-per-view card is scheduled for November 6 and is tentatively scheduled for MSG. However, New York has implemented a required proof of vaccination for indoor dining, fitness, and entertainment events. A UFC event would fall into the latter category, so Gaethje believes that will force the promotion out of MSG.
Justin Gaethje says he's excited "to fight someone I don’t like" in Michael Chandler: "It’ll be fun to punch you in the face"
Cole Shelton - August 6, 2021
Justin Gaethje says he’s eager to fight Michael Chandler as he doesn’t like the former Bellator lightweight champion. Gaethje and Chandler are scheduled to face one another on November 6 at UFC 268. It’s a highly-anticipated fight at lightweight where the winner could earn a title shot. For Gaethje, however, he says he’s ecstatic for the fight as it’s been a while since he fought someone he doesn’t like.
Michael Chandler reacts after booking fight with Justin Gaethje at UFC 268
Chris Taylor - July 31, 2021
Michael Chandler is excited to erase the pain of failure when he squares off with Justin Gaethje at UFC 268 on November 4 in New York City. After earning a first round knockout over Dan Hooker in his Octagon debut, Chandler (22-6 MMA) was booked to fight Charles Oliveira for the promotions vacant lightweight title at UFC 262.
Justin Gaethje vs. Michael Chandler agreed to for UFC 268
Cole Shelton - July 30, 2021
Justin Gaethje and Michael Chandler will finally meet inside the Octagon. Ever since Chandler signed to the UFC, he has been linked to a fight with Gaethje. After both men lost their fights for the belt, the scrap made all the more sense. However, the former Bellator champ claimed Gaethje was turning him down. Now, according to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, Gaethje and Chandler have agreed to fight one another on November 6 at UFC 268. The event will likely take place at Madison Square Garden.
Michael Chandler responds to slander claims made by UFC rival Justin Gaethje
Adam D Martin - July 25, 2021
UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler responded to the recent slander claims made by his 155lbs division rival Justin Gaethje. Gaethje recently took to his social media to throw shade at Chandler and say that he isn’t the one turning down the fight against each other. Now, Chandler has responded to him.
Justin Gaethje blasts Michael Chandler over his recent comments: "This f****r is slandering my name"
Cole Shelton - July 21, 2021
Justin Gaethje has responded to Michael Chandler’s recent comments. On Tuesday, Chandler spoke on an Instagram Live where he made it clear that he wanted to fight Gaethje next. He said one of them would add the other to their highlight reel, but the former Bellator champ claimed “The Highlight” had turned him down a couple of times already.
Islam Makhachev calls out Michael Chandler: “You come from Bellator, I want to check your skills"
Adam D Martin - July 18, 2021
UFC lightweight contender Islam Makhachev called out Michael Chandler, saying that “you come from Bellator, I want to check your skills.” Makhachev defeated Thiago Moises in the main event of UFC Vegas 31 via fourth-round submission, and it was the type of statement win that should earn the No. 9 ranked lightweight in the UFC a step up in competition. Following his win over Moises, Makhachev took the mic and called out Rafael dos Anjos, the former UFC lightweight champion. But in his post-event interview with reporter Heidi Androl, Makhachev used it as an opportunity to call out Chandler, the former Bellator lightweight champion turned UFC fighter and analyst.
Khabib Nurmagomedov happy to see Charles Oliveira as champion, says it would have “been sad” had Michael Chandler won
Harry Kettle - June 2, 2021
Former UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has said he’s happy to see Charles Oliveira hold the gold at 155 pounds. After retiring from mixed martial arts last year, Khabib left the door open for one of many top lightweights to rise up and claim the belt. Last month, Charles Oliveira answered the call with a phenomenal comeback win over Michael Chandler in Houston.
Michael Chandler welcomes fan-friendly fight with Justin Gaethje, promises highlight-reel finish either way
Adam D Martin - May 27, 2021
UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler welcomes a fan-friendly fight with Justin Gaethje, promising a highlight-reel finish either way. Chandler recently lost in his bid to become the new UFC lightweight champion when he was finished by Charles Oliveira in the main event of UFC 262. Though Chandler was stopped in the second round of the fight, it was an incredible match for as long as it lasted, and Chandler had a ton of success in the first round, nearly finishing Oliveira. So despite the fact he was stopped in the fight, his stock overall didn’t drop that much in the division.
Eddie Alvarez explains why Justin Gaethje would be a 'terrible' matchup for Michael Chandler
Drake Riggs - May 24, 2021
Eddie Alvarez has gone to war on numerous occasions throughout his legendary career. It now looks like two of his most notable opponents could square off next. Both of Alvarez’s encounters with fellow former Bellator lightweight king Michael Chandler were instant classics. The same can be said for his UFC 218 bout against Justin Gaethje. Now that both have suffered losses in their most recent title opportunities, UFC President Dana White seemingly still likes the idea of matching the two together.
UFC 262 reportedly does 300,000 pay-per-views buys in the United States
Cole Shelton - May 20, 2021
The pay-per-view buy rate for UFC 262 is reportedly in. According to John Ourand of the Sports Business Journal, UFC 262 sold 300,000 PPV buys on ESPN+ in the United States. That number does not include international buys, as it is domestic buys only.
Michael Chandler issues video statement following TKO loss to Charles Oliveira at UFC 262: "The best is still yet to come"
Adam D Martin - May 18, 2021
Michael Chandler issued a video statement following his TKO loss to Charles Oliveira at UFC 262, saying that “The best is still yet to come.” Chandler, the former three-time Bellator lightweight champion, took on Oliveira in the main event at this past Saturday’s UFC 262 pay-per-view event. After a strong start in the first round, which even saw him earn two 10-8 scorecards from the judges, Chandler started to tire and was knocked out by Oliveira early in the second round. It was Chandler’s first loss in the UFC after beating Dan Hooker in his promotional debut earlier this year, and this one hurt because he lost his chance to be the UFC champion, which is his dream. However, Chandler remains positive and promises his fans that he will still hold the gold one day.
What's next for the stars of UFC 262?
Cole Shelton - May 16, 2021
The UFC was back in front of a full capacity crowd on Saturday night in Houston, Texas for UFC 262. The card saw the vacant lightweight title up for grabs as Charles Oliveira took on Michael Chandler. Tony Ferguson also took on Beneil Dariush in a pivotal co-main event. The event, despite losing some big fights, ended up delivering as Oliveira rallied after being dropped in the first to TKO Chandler in the second to become the new champ. Dariush, meanwhile, used his grappling to dominate Ferguson and win a clear-cut 30-27.
Michael Chandler reacts following loss to Charles Oliveira at UFC 262
Chris Taylor - May 16, 2021
Michael Chandler was looking to earn his fourth consecutive knockout and the lightweight title when he squared off with Charles Oliveira at UFC 262. Chandler (22-6 MMA) had entered tonight’s event with a ton of momentum having earned three first round finishes in a row. During that stretch ‘Iron’ had scored stoppage wins over Sidney Outlaw, Benson Henderson and Dan Hooker.
Charles Oliveira not closing the door on featherweight: "If Dana White gave me the opportunity to go back down to featherweight and win, I'd take it"
Chris Taylor - May 15, 2021
Charles Oliveira is not closing the door on a return to featherweight after defeating Michael Chandler for the lightweight title at tonight’s UFC 262 event. Oliveira (31-8 MMA) and Chandler (22-6 MMA) squared off for the promotions vacant lightweight title this evening in Houston.
Conor McGregor reacts after Charles Oliveira stops Michael Chandler at UFC 262
Christopher Taylor - May 15, 2021
Former two-division champion Conor McGregor was clearly watching tonight’s UFC 262 main event between Michael Chandler and Charles Oliveira. Oliveira (31-8 MMA) and Chandler (22-6 MMA) squared off for the promotions vacant lightweight title this evening in Houston.