MMA

Chandler: "If I'm offered a fight with Makhachev after Oliveira, I'll choose him over Conor"

American UFC fighter Michael Chandler has expressed his readiness to face the lightweight champion Islam Makhachev after his bout with Brazilian Charles Oliveira.

The rematch between Chandler and Oliveira is set to take place on November 16 at UFC 309.

"Why am I going to fight Charles Oliveira? Number one, it's a badass fight. Number two, it's a rematch. It's a redemption story for me, the dude who already stole from me, rightfully so, in a fair fight, he stole my dreams, shattered my dreams of becoming UFC champion.

Now I get the opportunity to fight Oliveira, become the number one contender, and then I've got options.

Charles Oliveira, I respect the ***** out of you. I can't wait to compete against you. See you in 60 something days, ***** bless. See you at the top.

I love [the idea of] fight with Conor, I want to fight him, and I will fight him. Conor may not be my next opponent, but I will be his next opponrent. He's coming back to the UFC, and that road goes through Michael Chandler. If I'm offered a fight with Islam Makhachev after Charles Oliveira, I'll agree. It will be him, not McGregor. And I will be the champion by 2025," Chandler told TNT Sports.

Michael Chandler was originally scheduled to face former double champion Conor McGregor at UFC 303 in late June, but the bout was cancelled.

In May 2021, Charles Oliveira won the vacant UFC lightweight title by defeating Michael Chandler via technical knockout.

Over the course of his career, the American fighter has secured 23 victories and suffered eight defeats. The Brazilian has won 34 fights, lost ten, and one bout ended without a result.

UFC