Michael Chandler claimed he was offered a lightweight title shot against current champion Islam Makhachev. After his canceled bout against Conor McGregor, Chandler was left in limbo.
Although Chandler previously said he had a “new date” for a fight, most assumed it was a makeup date for McGregor. However, it could very well be his second crack at UFC gold later this year.
But, the former Missouri wrestling All-American left another offer on the table for McGregor, who had to pull out of UFC 303 due to injury.
“I’ve been offered (Islam Makhachev) in October – but if(Conor McGregor’s) little pinky toe is ready by Sept, let’s do sphere,” Chandler wrote on Twitter. “Biggest sporting event in history of sports!!!!”
Chandler referenced UFC 306, which is set to take place at the Las Vegas Sphere, a venue which president Dana White said the organization will only do once.
Based on the UFC rankings, Chandler is currently No. 6 at lightweight in the UFC’s top 15 at 155 pounds. No. 1 contender Arman Tsarukyan is currently suspended for a minimum of six months due to an altercation with a fan earlier this year.
So if we go by process of elimination down the ladder, he’s out for Makhachev’s next fight. Former champion Charles Oliveira just lost to Tsarukyan in April and previously lost to Makhachev in October of 2022, for the lightweight belt.
Chandler also previously fought Oliveira for the title back in May of 2021, losing by TKO in the second round. But with the top two logically out, No. 3 contender Justin Gaethje already lost to Oliveira in May of 2022, won two in a row including the BMF belt, but just lost the latter to Max Holloway by knockout in April. Could he be an option? Sure, but he is coming off a loss, like Chandler but that’s beside the point.
No. 4 Dustin Poirier just lost to Makhachev in a title fight on June 1st by submission, so it’s unlikely the UFC would give him an immediate rematch. No. 5 Mateusz Gamrot has won three in a row, last fighting in March, so conceivably he could get a shot next.
But that leaves Chandler at No. 6 on the ladder, although his last fight was a submission loss to Poirier two years ago at this point. The promise was a mega payday to fight McGregor, but if Chandler is willing to wait until October, he’ll have a chance at the UFC title, which he said was his ultimate goal.
After title reigns in the Bellator promotion, Chandler wanted to be in the UFC for a “good time, not a long time.” If the fight is offered as he claimed, it’d make for a wild story.
Makhachev tweeted Monday he needed new targets, so Chandler responded.“I’ve been (targeting) your ass for 8 years…good, old-fashioned, passionate(Missouri Wrestling) beats Dagestani sambo every day of the week,” Chandler wrote.
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