If Michael Chandler can match his personal expectations, he’ll string collectively a legendary run within the subsequent 12 months. Chandler is getting ready for a rematch with Charles Oliveira at UFC 309, a battle he hopes will launch him to Islam Makhachev, Conor McGregor and Max Holloway subsequent 12 months.
Chandler is raring to make up misplaced time after a drawn-out battle with McGregor was canceled. The one-time UFC title challenger and three-time Bellator champion has not fought in 24 months in hopes of assembly his rival coach on “The Final Fighter” season 31. As soon as McGregor pulled out of their battle at UFC 303 on June 29, Chandler redirected his focus to the UFC light-weight championship.
“The title is the No. 1 aim, however there’s unfinished enterprise,” Chandler advised CBS Sports activities forward of his co-main occasion slot on Nov. 16 inside New York Metropolis’s Madison Sq. Backyard. “Chandler vs. McGregor from ‘TUF 31.’ That chapter wants to shut in some unspecified time in the future. Conor needs that battle. He is talked about it brazenly in public interviews. Clearly, I would like that battle.”
Chandler’s speedy focus is avenging his 2021 knockout loss to Oliveira, a vacant UFC light-weight title battle in Chandler’s second UFC look. However Chandler has had loads of time to map out his technique for 2025. Chandler believes a win over Oliveira, ranked No. 3 within the UFC’s official light-weight rankings, positions him to problem the winner of Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan, notably if Makhachev retains his title. Makhachev vs. Tsarukyan is rumored for UFC 311 on Jan. 18, however that timeline places Chandler’s championship and exercise objectives in battle.
“You will need to additionally do not forget that Islam might be combating in late January,” Chandler mentioned. “He is going into Ramadan in February and all of March. He will not have the ability to go right into a coaching camp till April. He will not have the ability to battle till June or July. I am not making an attempt to attend till June or July.”
Take a look at the complete interview with Michael Chandler under.
Many individuals have misplaced endurance in anticipating McGregor’s return from a three-plus-year hiatus. Chandler is aware of these frustrations all too effectively. But when the timing works out, Chandler is thinking about sandwiching a Makhachev battle between McGregor and ceremonial BMF champion Max Holloway, the latter of whom not too long ago introduced a full-time transfer to light-weight.
“Conor may sneak in there. We may see Chandler vs. Oliveira, Chandler vs. McGregor, Chandler vs. Makhachev and Chandler vs. Holloway,” Chandler mentioned. “The craziest four-fight run in a 12-month interval that anybody has ever seen.”
