Michael Chandler News
Islam Makhachev slams Justin Gaethje and Michael Chandler ahead of UFC 268: “Everybody is tired about these guys because they’re old”
Adam D Martin - November 3, 2021
Islam Makhachev ripped Justin Gaethje and Michael Chandler ahead of UFC 268, saying “everybody is tired about these guys because they’re old.” Makhachev put on arguably the best performance of his MMA career last Saturday at UFC 268 when he submitted Dan Hooker in the first round. Considering how tough and durable Hooker is — this was his first submission loss in nearly a decade — it was absolutely incredible to see Makhachev go through him like a knife through hot butter. It was the kind of win that the Russian needs in order to really cement himself as one of the top lightweights in the UFC. With a 10-1 record now in the promotion, including the nine-fight win streak that he currently rides, it’s clear that Makhachev is closing in on a title shot.
Justin Gaethje claims he's 'guaranteed' a title shot after he KO's Michael Chandler at UFC 268
Cole Shelton - November 2, 2021
Justin Gaethje believes he will be fighting for UFC gold after UFC 268. On the main card of the UFC’s return to Madison Square Garden, Gaethje is set to fight Michael Chandler in a potential number one contender bout. It’s Gaethje’s first fight since he lost to Khabib Nurmagomedov for the belt in October of 2020 but he is confident he will not only get the win but will KO Chandler to get the next title shot.
Michael Chandler believes Justin Gaethje also received "Dana White privilege"
Adam D Martin - November 2, 2021
UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler believes that his rival Justin Gaethje also received “Dana White privilege” from the UFC president. Chandler got the vacant title shot against Charles Oliveira back at UFC 262 in May, and Gaethje made it clear that he was not pleased as he believed it should have been him who got the title shot. However, the UFC went ahead and gave Chandler the shot instead, and he lost via TKO. With Gaethje not getting the fight, he sat on the sidelines and as of right now he’s been out of the Octagon for a full year. But this Saturday at UFC 268, he gets the chance to fight Chandler in what should be one of the best fights on the whole card.
Justin Gaethje promises to finish Michael Chandler as "violently as possible" at UFC 268
Adam D Martin - October 14, 2021
UFC lightweight contender Justin Gaethje says that he promises to finish Michael Chandler as “violently as possible” at UFC 268. Gaethje hasn’t competed since last October when he lost by submission to Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 253. Chandler, meanwhile, is coming off of a vacant title fight TKO loss to Charles Oliveira at UFC 263. When Gaethje and Chandler meet next month at UFC 268, it promises to be an action-packed fight between two of the best lightweights in the world. And as far as Gaethje goes, it will be like many of his fights: brutal and violent.
Michael Chandler shares prediction for Charles Oliveira vs. Dustin Poirier
Adam D Martin - October 1, 2021
Top contender Michael Chandler shared his prediction for the upcoming UFC lightweight title bout between Charles Oliveira and Dustin Poirier. Chandler knows a thing-or-two about Oliveira, considering he just fought him for the vacant lightweight belt back at UFC 262 in May. Although Chandler ended up losing via second-round TKO, he was doing well in the first round of the fight and showed that he’s one of the sport’s best lightweights despite the defeat. For his next fight, Chandler will step into the Octagon next month when he faces off with fellow top contender Justin Gaethje. The winner of Chandler vs. Gaethje could very well be in line for a title shot at 155lbs.
Michael Chandler explains why he hasn't gotten vaccinated yet
Adam D Martin - September 16, 2021
UFC lightweight title contender Michael Chandler explained why he hasn’t gotten himself vaccinated against COVID-19 yet. Chandler is set to take on rival Justin Gaethje at UFC 268 in November at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. When the fight was first announced, one of the potential issues in booking the fight was that Chandler is not yet vaccinated. At first, it was expected that athletes competing on the New York card would have to show proof of being vaccinated. However, that won’t be the case as the fighters won’t have to be vaccinated.
Justin Gaethje on Michael Chandler's anti-vaccine comments: 'He was just seeking attention'
Drake Riggs - September 14, 2021
The highly anticipated matchup between Justin Gaethje and Michael Chandler is set to go down… but it wasn’t without a brief scare. With UFC 268 on Nov. 6 taking place in New York City’s Madison Square Garden, there was reason to worry about the event happening at all due to potential COVID-19 vaccine mandates. Therefore leading Chandler to voice his opinion by sharing that he didn’t intend on getting the vaccine until it was “100 percent FDA approved.”
Michael Chandler says he's "ready for violence" against Justin Gaethje at UFC 268
Adam D Martin - September 14, 2021
UFC lightweight title contender Michael Chandler says he’s “ready for violence” against divisional rival Justin Gaethje at UFC 268. Chandler meets Gaethje on November 6 at UFC 268 in what should be an absolute war between two of the best lightweights on the UFC roster. With Chandler coming off of a stoppage loss to Charles Oliveira at UFC 262 and with Gaethje coming off of a finish defeat to Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 254, both fighters need to get back into the win column.
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.