UFC: Michael Chandler And Justin Gaethje Willing To Throw Hands
Michael Chandler wants to fight Justin Gaethje next to prove that he is the most violent man in the UFC. And according to ‘The Highlight’s’ manager Ali Abdelaziz, his man is game.
Chandler made a spectacular UFC debut by finishing number six ranked Dan Hooker in the first round in the UFC 257 co-main event. The 34 year old stung his opponent with several body shots, before throwing a haymaker out of nowhere, sending the Kiwi crashing to the canvas, and then finishing the job with a number of blows to his head.
Most Violent Fighter In The UFC
The victory has certainly put Chandler in a strong position to fight for the lightweight title, but he is weighing his options.
Speaking to ESPN (as transcribed by BJPenn.com), Chandler said that he wants to fight Gaethje – known for his chaotic fighting style – to prove that he’s the most violent guy in the promotion.
“If I had it my way, it would be Justin Gaethje because it is a fight that excites me and it is a fight that I match up extremely well against Justin Gaethje,” Chandler said. “You had a guy who I tangled with a couple of times named Eddie Alvarez who beat Justin Gaethje, whenever they fought for the unofficial title of the most violent guy in mixed martial arts.
“The most violent guy in the UFC. Eddie Alvarez won that fight. I think I’m the new most violent guy in the UFC. If Justin Gaethje wants to prove that, he’s gonna need to step in the Octagon against me.”
Gaethje Down To Fight Chandler
Chandler’s callouts seem to have worked; Abdelaziz told Brett Okamoto that his guy is willing to throw hands with the former Bellator champion.
“We’re open to it. Justin has fought a lot of guys tougher than Michael Chandler,” Abdelaziz said. “But he needs to stop trying so hard in the media.”
After champion Khabib Nurmagomedov’s retirement, the lightweight title race is wide open, with Dustin Poirier, Chandler, and Charles Oliveira being the favourites to compete for the belt next.
Gaethje, who was submitted be Khabib in the second round at UFC 254 last October, is also potentially one win away from jumping right back into title contention.
Would you be interested in a potential fight between Michael Chandler and Justin Gaethje?
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