It’s been over 22 months since Michael Chandler fought within the UFC, largely on account of ready for Conor McGregor to compete.
Time’s up, and Chandler (23-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC) has formally moved on.
Friday, the previous light-weight title challenger confirmed his subsequent combat will happen at UFC 309 towards former champion Charles Oliveira. It will likely be a rematch of their bout at UFC 262 in 2021, the place Oliveira (34-10 MMA, 22-10 UFC) claimed the vacant light-weight title by ending Chandler within the second spherical.
Chandler is aware of the danger of difficult Oliveira once more however calls the choice “the last word guess on your self.” In a pair of movies posted on-line, Chandler defined his reasoning.
“I feel you guys have forgotten during the last 12 months or so who Michael Chandler is,” Chandler stated in a YouTube video. “From October of 2020, I signed with the group in September, from October of 2020 to November of 2022, in a 25-month span, I did six coaching camps, one backup combat for the world title combat. 5 fights in 25 months. 4 Struggle of the Night time or Efficiency of the Night time bonuses. Two Struggle of the 12 months candidates, one Struggle of the 12 months towards Justin Gaethje, one KO of the 12 months towards Tony Ferguson, one Debut of the 12 months towards Dan Hooker.
“… That’s the reason I’m taking the Charles Oliveira combat. Why? As a result of I took a fast little detour to chase this factor. The chance of ‘The Final Fighter.’ … I bought extra promo, extra eyeballs, extra of all the pieces within the final 12 months and a half than I’d have gotten with three fights, and now I get the chance to take a title run.”
When information of Chandler’s resolution to take one other combat reached McGregor, the Irishman issued a fiery tweet in response.
“Chander noticed that takedown getting stuffed and mauled and formally dipped,” McGregor wrote on X (previously Twitter).” Little Fats P*ssy.” I’m on the laborious rock lodge Florida for the naked knuckle tonight. Acquired examined earlier at this time by DFSI. Give me my f*cking date!”
Undeterred by McGregor’s phrases however impressed to elaborate, Chandler posted one other video on Instagram to problem a dismissive reply and additional element why he desires to maintain combating quite than look ahead to a combat that will by no means come.
“I’m not even going to answer Conor’s silly little tweet, appearing like I dipped,” Chandler stated in an Instagram video. “The straightforward truth of the matter is, you’re the most unreliable human being that has ever graced blended martial arts.
“So, what am I going to do? I’m going to combat Charles Oliveira. Why am I going to combat Charles Oliveira? Primary, it’s a badass combat. Quantity two, it’s a rematch. It’s a redemption story for me. The dude who already stole from me – rightfully so, in a good combat – he stole my goals, shattered my goals of changing into UFC champion.”
A victory over Oliveira would preserve his identify on the shortlist of UFC light-weight title challengers. Primarily, Chandler is assured the world can be his oyster if he will get his hand raised.
“Now I get the chance to combat Charles Oliviera, turn into the No. 1 contender, after which I’ve bought choices,” Chandler stated. “If Conor can lastly get his home so as, if he can lastly string collectively a few sober days, string collectively a few days the place he’s truly coaching and really feeling good, and he can truly lastly, lastly make good on his promise of the best comeback in fight sports activities historical past, if he can lastly pony up, then I’ll combat Conor after I dispatch of Charles Oliveira.
“Or, Islam Makhachev, you might be subsequent in 2025, and I would be the champion by the top of 2025.”
Make sure you go to the MMA Junkie Instagram web page and YouTube channel to debate this and extra content material with followers of blended martial arts.
