Tag: Michael Chandler

Chandler: Gaethje’s “Coward” Bet Won’t Stop Me Shooting For His Legs

UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler says he won’t be hesitant to shoot for Justin Gaethje’s legs at UFC 268 this weekend.

Continuing the trend of his UFC career so far, Chandler will be entering the Octagon with another killer on Saturday. …

Michael Chandler, Justin Gaethje

UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler says he won’t be hesitant to shoot for Justin Gaethje’s legs at UFC 268 this weekend.

Continuing the trend of his UFC career so far, Chandler will be entering the Octagon with another killer on Saturday. After signing with MMA’s biggest promotion last year, the former three-time Bellator Lightweight Champion made his first appearance at UFC 257 in January. In a tough first test on paper, “Iron” faced #6-ranked Dan Hooker. Less than three minutes into the opening frame, Chandler finished “The Hangman.”

With such an impressive and clinical debut performance, Chandler found himself fighting for UFC gold in just his second bout for the promotion. Following Khabib Nurmagomedov’s retirement, the 35-year-old faced Charles Oliveira for the 155-pound belt at UFC 262. Despite coming inches away from title glory in the first round, Chandler was finished on the feet by “Do Bronx” in the second.

Now nearly six months later, Chandler will look to secure a second crack at having a UFC strap wrapped around his waist. On a stacked UFC 268 main card, he’ll face former interim champ Justin Gaethje.

Chandler Isn’t Afraid To Wrestle Gaethje

While ‘bad blood’ might not be the word to describe their rivalry, Chandler and Gaethje have certainly engaged in a healthy amount of back-and-forth ahead of their clash. The main narrative has surrounded Gaethje’s claim that “the first guy to take a step back is a coward.” The Arizona native also suggested Chandler will shoot for his legs early to avid taking a backward step.

Having initially insisted he’ll push forward with “reckless abandon” and force “the Highlight” to take the first backward step, Chandler appears to have now somewhat gone back on that claim. During an interview with The Schmo, the #4-ranked contender claimed he’ll change levels and take the fight to the ground if he so pleases.

“Yeah, it doesn’t matter. I mean, I’m not really worried about it. I mean, quite frankly, I don’t know whether I will shoot for the legs or not. Because when you’re just in the moment, when you’re fighting, when you’re training, when you’re in here training, you’re just going off the instinct. You know, you train so hard you train so many reps, so many hours, so many different techniques, that you have to put your 10,000 hours in for those techniques, and those scenarios, those decisions, to be innate, to be engrained inside your DNA.

“So I think I am a complete mixed martial artist. I think I have the power to knock Justin Gaethje out. I think I have the ability to mix it up, to be able keep him on his heels. If I want to take the fight to the ground, I believe I’ll be able to take it to the ground, I can keep it there, and I can finish him there. So we’ll see. This is just the confidence I have in all these different positions. And either way, I’m excited to compete against him.”

Whether the fight stays entirely on the feet or ventures to the mat, one thing for certain, and one thing both men have assured fans, is the clash won’t be short on entertainment. With the winner potentially in line for a fight against the victor of next month’s championship clash between Dustin Poirier and Charles Oliveira, the stakes will certainly be high inside Madison Square Garden on November 6.

Who do you think will have their hand raised at UFC 268, Michael Chandler or Justin Gaethje?

Continue Reading Chandler: Gaethje’s “Coward” Bet Won’t Stop Me Shooting For His Legs at MMA News.

Justin Gaethje Still Aims To Exact Revenge On Dustin Poirier

“The Highlight” is out for vengeance.

In 2018, Justin Gathje and Dustin Poirier threw down in an instant classic. The fight was close through the beginning, but as Gaethje slowed down, Poirier picked up the pace and earned a fourth-round stoppage. …

“The Highlight” is out for vengeance.

In 2018, Justin Gathje and Dustin Poirier threw down in an instant classic. The fight was close through the beginning, but as Gaethje slowed down, Poirier picked up the pace and earned a fourth-round stoppage. 

Speaking to the media ahead of his UFC 268 bout with Michael Chandler, Gaethje stated that he wants to run that match back. But should he end up meeting current champ Charles Oliveira instead, Gaethje thinks that would also make for an intriguing fight. 

“That’s my belief. I’m number two. Yeah, who else? There’s absolutely nobody else. So yeah, if not, we riot,” Gaetjhje said.

Justin Gaethje
Justin Gaethje vs Dustin Poirier Image Credit: Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

“I hope Poirier (is the champ) because I want to exact my revenge. That’s one of the most human traits, is wanting to exact revenge on somebody who has beaten you, especially in this sport. There’s not many times you get that opportunity, so yeah, that would be a great chance, but Oliveira brings such a crazy style to the cage, I think for me that would be a great matchup.”

It’s been just over a year since fans have seen Gaethje perform. The Arizonian’s last bout was a failed bid for lightweight gold against Khabib Nurmagomedov. That night, “The Eagle” looked nearly unstoppable as he walked down Gaethje and eventually submitted him in the second round. 

Since his own loss to Nurmagomedov in 2019, Poirier has been on a tear. “The Diamond” had an absolute banger with Dan Hooker in 2020 and has so far spent 2021 handing Conor McGregor a couple of back-to-back losses.

Who do you think would win a rematch between Justin Gaethje and Dustin Poirier?

Continue Reading Justin Gaethje Still Aims To Exact Revenge On Dustin Poirier at MMA News.

Chandler: I Will Be Holding UFC Gold By The Middle Of Next Year

UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler is hoping to secure a second 155-pound title shot with a victory over former interim champion Justin Gaethje at UFC 268.

Chandler had his first crack at reserving his place on the lightweight throne in jus…

Justin Gaethje, Michael Chandler

UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler is hoping to secure a second 155-pound title shot with a victory over former interim champion Justin Gaethje at UFC 268.

Chandler had his first crack at reserving his place on the lightweight throne in just his second Octagon outing. Having signed with the UFC in 2020, “Iron” made his promotional debut in January this year against the always-resilient and entertaining Dan Hooker. Announcing his arrival in about as emphatic fashion as he could have, the former three-time Bellator Lightweight Champion finished “The Hangman” inside three minutes of the opening round.

Michael Chandler Punches Dan Hooker
Credit: Jeff Bottari, Zuffa LLC

With the division’s belt relinquished by the great Khabib Nurmagomedov, and top contender Dustin Poirier deciding to pursue a money trilogy fight with former two-division champ Conor McGregor, Chandler found himself opposite Charles Oliveira in UFC 262’s vacant championship clash. Despite a dominant opening round, the 35-year-old watched the gold slip away from his grasp when “Do Bronx” mounted an incredible second-round comeback.

Saturday, Chandler will return to the cage in the hope of rebounding back into contention immediately. In his way will be striking brute Gaethje, who hasn’t fought since his own title loss at UFC 254 last October. Ahead of the fight, Chandler described “The Highlight” as the “scariest” and “craziest” opponent he’s ever been matched up with.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CUfYKTGoDiA/

Michael Chandler believes his Madison Square Garden contest with Gaethje will serve as a true title eliminator. Speaking during an interview with ESPN MMA’s Brett Okamoto, “Iron” hinted that he’s been told an impressive performance on November 6 will land him a second shot at UFC gold.

“If I win this fight, I think I’m right there back in title contention. Justin Gaethje is the number one contender, he calls himself, he’s said he’s already been told he gets a title shot with this win, you know, I may have heard that as well.”

If the winner of Chandler vs. Gaethje does secure another championship opportunity, they’ll be facing the winner of the UFC 269 main event between champion Oliveira and challenger Dustin Poirier. Despite falling to the Brazilian in May this year, Chandler believes his first-round performance against “Do Bronx” is grounds for a 2022 rematch.

“Either way, we’ll see what happens and how the fight on December 11 [Oliveira vs. Poirier] materializes. I think if Oliveira does find a way to beat Poirier, which, I do have Poirier winning that fight, but if Oliveira does win, he hadn’t lost a round since 2017 until Michael Chandler showed up and 10-8’ed him in the first round.

“So, I think there’s grounds for there to be a rematch between me and Charles Oliveira for the title,” added Chandler. “Conor’s gonna be coming back, he’s gonna be doing Conor things and he’s probably gonna want the Poirier fight… we’ll see what happens if Poirier’s holding the title. Who knows, it’s always an interesting landscape. All I know is, I plan to be holding UFC gold by the middle of next year. That’s the plan. That’s the goal. It starts on November 6 and knocking out Justin Gaethje.”

Do you think a victory for Michael Chandler at UFC 268 would earn him a second crack at lightweight gold?

Continue Reading Chandler: I Will Be Holding UFC Gold By The Middle Of Next Year at MMA News.

Justin Gaethje Expects Title Shot With Win Over Michael Chandler

Justin GaethjeUFC lightweight contender Justin Gaethje expects a title shot for his next fight if he beats Michael Chandler at UFC 268, and won’t be happy if he gets passed up by the UFC brass. Gaethje is coming off a title loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov last year at UFC 254, as he fell by second-round submission. […]

Justin Gaethje

UFC lightweight contender Justin Gaethje expects a title shot for his next fight if he beats Michael Chandler at UFC 268, and won’t be happy if he gets passed up by the UFC brass.

Gaethje is coming off a title loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov last year at UFC 254, as he fell by second-round submission. He had some early success on the feet but eventually struggled to find answers to Nurmagomedov’s superior ground game.

Gaethje will make his return to the octagon this weekend at UFC 268 against Chandler, another former title challenger who lost to Charles Oliveira for the vacant belt at UFC 262. The fight will be the appetizer for viewers just before the Zhang Weili/Rose Namajunas and Kamaru Usman/Colby Covington title rematches.

Justin Gaethje is laser-focused at another shot at UFC gold

Gaethje wants a title shot next, and if he doesn’t, he’s planning to go off on the UFC and Dana White.

“If I don’t get the shot, we riot,” Gaethje said during his UFC 268 pre-fight presser. “We go to war. I have to be biased when it comes to this. I’m not going to be around here for much longer, so if I were to get snubbed again then, yeah, I’d have to do something about it. Whether that’s causing a ruckus.”

“I have to let my manager do his job,” Gaethje continued. “I got the best manager in the game. We all know what’s supposed to happen if I get this win on Saturday night, so hopefully you all riot with me.”

Before losing to Nurmagomedov, Gaethje earned the interim title by beating Tony Ferguson at UFC 249. He also earned knockout wins over Donald Cerrone, Edson Barboza, and James Vick.

When the Oliveira vs. Chandler fight was set for the vacant title, many felt that Gaethje was robbed of another title opportunity. But with a win this weekend, he could earn another shot at the belt that he’s chased after since signing with the promotion.

Does Justin Gaethje deserve a title shot with a win over Michael Chandler at UFC 268?

Justin Gaethje Believes He Has Seen Better Competition Than Michael Chandler

Justin Gaethje is criticizing the level of competition Michael Chandler has faced in his career.

The mental warfare continues between Justin Gaethje and Michael Chandler. The two will be facing off on the main card of the upcoming UFC 268 event. Th…

Justin Gaethje is criticizing the level of competition Michael Chandler has faced in his career.

The mental warfare continues between Justin Gaethje and Michael Chandler. The two will be facing off on the main card of the upcoming UFC 268 event. The lead-up to the fight has not been dull, to say the least. Both have been making comments and challenges toward one each other for months. Now, in a recent interview, Gaethje compared the level of opponents they have lost to.

“I’ve been finished two times, (submitted) once by elite competition, by the most elite competition,” Gaethje said on the UFC Unfiltered podcast. “He’s been knocked out by less-than-elite competition. At the end of the day, I have to talk this man up because he is so dangerous, so explosive, and so athletic.”

Gaethje believes that he is one win away from a title fight with champion Charles Oliveira. He thinks he is a better fighter than Chandler and the nature of his losses is something that he can hold over his opponent as well. Although Gaethje thinks he will be victorious over Chandler, he can’t help but acknowledge his talent and skills. Chandler has been trying to get in Gaethje’s head as well, publically issuing a challenge that both men come straight forward in their fight.

Chandler is also looking for a title shot with a win. It is very possible that this bout is a title contention eliminating bout, however, Chandler’s last loss was to Oliveira. The lightweight division is perhaps the most stacked in the UFC. Any fighter in the top ten could realistically fight for the title within the next year, and there are fighters on the rise such as Islam Makhachev who could be jumping the line. Either way, this is an important fight for both Gaethje and Chandler.

Do you agree with Justin Gaethje? Has he faced better competition in his career?

Continue Reading Justin Gaethje Believes He Has Seen Better Competition Than Michael Chandler at MMA News.

Michael Chandler Explains Why McGregor Fight Would Be “Electrifying”

Michael Chandler thinks a bout between him and Conor McGregor would produce fireworks. 

The former Bellator champion turned UFC contender, “Iron” Mike Chandler, has already had an amusing run since stepping into the Octagon. In his first outin…

Michael Chandler thinks a bout between him and Conor McGregor would produce fireworks. 

The former Bellator champion turned UFC contender, “Iron” Mike Chandler, has already had an amusing run since stepping into the Octagon. In his first outing, Chandler smashed Dan Hooker to earn a shot at the vacant lightweight belt. He would seem close to obtaining the coveted UFC belt before Charles Oliveira rallied and won by knockout. 

Chandler has had some slower-paced bouts over the years but since joining the UFC he’s gone full-throttle. And fighting in one of the premier weight classes in the organization means there’s plenty of men who are willing to meet that pace. Chandler is aware of this, but he believes that a fight between him and a certain “Notorious” athlete would top them all.

“What’s happening inside the lightweight division is awesome. I am proud to represent the lightweight division,” Chandler told MMA Reporter Helen Yee. “There’s no shortage of great fights for me the rest of my career here. So it’s gonna be a lot of fun. And yeah, I mean, Conor, I hope he heals up pretty well. But yeah, there’s a lot of people that have talked about me and Conor fighting for a very long time.

“I do think it will be one of the most electrifying, especially first rounds, ever. We will both come in 100 miles an hour and see who gets that win. But we’ll see. I hope that fight happens sometime”

It’s not uncommon for fighters to call their shots for a McGregor fight. Everyone knows a bout with the Irishman equals a big payday for the participants. And should Chandler decide to stand and trade with McGregor instead of resorting to his high-level grappling, it would be a banger for as long as it lasted.

And as fun as a Chandler/McGregor bout could be, many fans believe that Chandler will be involved in an electrifying fight when he meets Justin Gaethje at UFC 268 this Saturday.

Continue Reading Michael Chandler Explains Why McGregor Fight Would Be “Electrifying” at MMA News.