It’s been over 22 months since Michael Chandler fought within the UFC, largely as a result 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 in opposition to former champion Charles Oliveira. Will probably 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 final word wager 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 mentioned 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 Combat of the Night time or Efficiency of the Night time bonuses. Two Combat of the Yr candidates, one Combat of the Yr in opposition to Justin Gaethje, one KO of the Yr in opposition to Tony Ferguson, one Debut of the Yr in opposition to 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 obtained 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 determination 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. Received examined earlier at the moment 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 difficulty a dismissive reply and additional element why he needs to maintain combating relatively than watch for a combat that will by no means come.
“I’m not even going to reply to Conor’s silly little tweet, performing like I dipped,” Chandler mentioned 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 desires, shattered my desires of turning into UFC champion.”
A victory over Oliveira would maintain his title on the shortlist of UFC light-weight title challengers. Basically, 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 obtained choices,” Chandler mentioned. “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 truly 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 tip of 2025.”
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