Barring Dustin Poirier vs Charles Oliveira, Michael Chandler vs Justin Gaethje will probably be the next big fight in the lightweight division
Michael Chandler is a hungry man after facing a defeat in the lightweight title bout against Charles Oliviera at UFC 262. The fight that could have gone either way, saw Oliveira knockout the newcomer in the second round of the fight.
Following his defeat, he called out number 2 ranked lightweight Justin Gaethje who has been out of action since October 24, 2020, when he lost to Khabib Nurmagomedov (UFC 254).
Chandler also accused Gaethje of ducking him, recently. On an Instagram live chat earlier this week, ‘Iron Mike’ said “every time Gaethje was asked to fight Chandler, he had declined.”
“I’ll tell you what, I’ve said Justin Gaethje’s name no less than 100 times since I’ve signed with the organization. He’s been asked to fight me three or four different times. Every time he’s declined. He and I are ranked two spots away from each other, he has not fought since last October. He needs to get a fight in if he thinks he’s going to fight for the title. For some reason him and his camp have no interest in fighting me.” [via BJPENN.com]
Chandler’s comments didn’t sit well with Gaethje’s manager Ali Abdelaziz. Abdelaziz who takes offence even to the slightest of jibes aimed at his clients, took to Twitter to post a video of Chandler getting knocked out by Oliveira.
He captioned the video:
“Sit your ass down you’re going to get knocked out again fake humble I have three guys back to back you will get finish fake respect.”
Winner of Michael Chandler vs Justin Gaethje to fight for title next
Dustin Poirier is set to face Charles Oliveira for the lightweight title next. Now, given the positions of Chandler and Gaethje in the lightweight rankings, number 4 and number 2, it wouldn’t be a big surprise if the winner of this fight takes on the winner of Poirier vs Oliveira.
Chandler is coming off a knockout loss against Oliveira at UFC 262, while Gaethje is coming off a submission loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov which saw the latter retire after his win.
Gaethje’s biggest achievement has been winning the interim lightweight title in the UFC. As for Chandler, he has been the Bellator lightweight champion thrice.
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