Michael Chandler has left followers buzzing all through his UFC profession, and he doesn’t count on that to vary at UFC 309.
Even when it means stealing the thunder from the Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic predominant occasion.
Chandler co-headlines the Nov. 16 present reverse rival Charles Oliveira, who defeated Chandler for a vacant light-weight title at UFC 262 in Might 2021. Not solely is Chandler searching for a measure of revenge, he’s additionally hoping to interrupt the Madison Sq. Backyard curse that goes again to his Bellator days.
“It’s OK, you’ll be able to say it,” Chandler informed New York Put up Sports activities. “I’m 0-3 at Madison Sq. Backyard, that’s OK, let’s simply get that out of the way in which proper now. Don’t be afraid to beat across the bush, I’ve by no means gained inside Madison Sq. Backyard, so I’m deciding to vary that this time.”
In his first battle at “The World’s Most Well-known Area,” Chandler misplaced his light-weight championship to Brent Primus after struggling a leg damage within the opening spherical. He defeated Primus of their rematch at Bellator 212 to regain the title.
Chandler then fought two extra instances at Madison Sq. Backyard, going 5 brutal and bloody rounds with Justin Gaethje at UFC 268 and clashing with Dustin Poirier in one other memorable brawl at UFC 281. He’s hoping to be a part of one other memorable efficiency, and he informed Jones that he plans to overshadow Jones’ long-awaited heavyweight title protection towards Miocic.
“I noticed Jon Jones at UFC 306 on the Sphere, he mentioned, ‘Hello,’ we took an image collectively, the primary and co-main, and he’s like, ‘Hey man, be sure to avoid wasting pleasure for me as a result of I’m the primary occasion?’ I’m like, ‘Yeah, in all probability not, man. I’m coming to steal the present.’
“I positively thought of [my lack of success at Madison Square Garden), and it couldn’t have been scripted any better. To fight a guy, to beat a guy, who has now beaten me for the world title. I had one goal when I got into this sport, to be the No. 1 guy in the world. To be, widely regarded, unanimously, as the No. 1 guy in the world. Charles Oliveira stole that from me, beat me fair and square, but he stole that dream from me. Now I get the opportunity to right that wrong in my mind, show up a better fighter, get my hand raised, and then when I beat Charles Oliveira I am the highest ranked guy in the lightweight division not named Arman Tsarukyan or Islam Makhachev, who are fighting in most likely January people are talking about. So I’ll be cageside watching that fight, to watch who my next fight is, who I’m going to fight for the title.”
As for how he plans to beat Oliveira this time, he referred to a previous win he had over a former UFC champion at Bellator 165. On that November 2016 card, Chandler won a split decision over Benson Henderson, utilizing a strategy that might seem alien to fans who have only followed his UFC career.
Chandler has five rounds to work with at UFC 309, and he doubts Oliveira can keep up with him.
“With that same mindset, if I just put on a slow, steady pace, stay in his face, make him feel my presence, pick my shots, I can fight 25 minutes all day long,” Chandler said. “I can red line for 25 minutes, I’ve proven that numerous times, he’s never done that.
“I’m not going to ever say that Charles Oliveira is a quitter, like other people have. He’s shown that in the past, he’s quit here and there, but Charles Oliveira is a seasoned veteran. He’s a champion. He was a champion for years for a reason. He’s got a heart of gold and a heart of a champion, so I’m excited to go out there and fight 25 minutes. I hope I don’t. I I hope I don’t have to fight him for 25 minutes. I hope I get my hand raised within the first couple of rounds, but I’m prepared for it and I don’t know if he is.”
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Free. Alexandr Romanov was victorious at UFC Edmonton, but now finds himself looking for a new contract.
Wanted. Former UFC fighter Bryan Caraway is a top target of the authorities for insurance fraud.
Magic. PFL’s Tom Breese indulged in some… unique supplements ahead of a fight with Rob Wilkinson.
RIP. One-time WEC title challenger Hiromitsu Miura died on Oct. 26.
T-Wrecks ranks ‘em.
Bryan Battle does the JAXXON podcast.
Biggest betting upsets in the UFC.
Free Stipe fight.
Fighter vs. Writer. MMA Fighting’s Damon Martin and UFC veteran Matt Brown discuss the what to make of Belal Muhammad’s injury, whether Shavkat Rakhmonov could face Kamaru Usman, whether Jon Jones has to fight Tom Aspinall after UFC 309, and more.
Believe You Me. Michael Bisping talks how to save UFC 310, plus Dustin Poirier’s BMF hopes, and praise for Brandon Moreno and Erin Blanchfield’s big UFC Edmonton wins.
Soon?
What a waste of cake.
High praise.
JoJo retrospective.
Sorry, eh.
Marathon man.
Elizeu Zaleski (24-8-1) vs. Zach Scroggin (7-0); UFC Vegas 100, Nov. 9
Jacqueline Cavalcanti (8-1) vs. Julia Avila (9-3); UFC Fight Night, Feb. 15
Ketlen Vieira (14-4) vs. Macy Chiasson (10-3); UFC Fight Night, Feb. 22
No matter how you feel about the election, please be kind to each other out there.
We’re all in this together.
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