Michael Chandler is not only looking to get his hand raised this Saturday but also aiming for a title shot.
Chandler, who has gone 1-3 in his last four fights, will step back into the cage at UFC 309, a pay-per-view event held at Madison Square Garden, where he faces Charles Oliveira.
Currently, UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev is expected to defend his title against Arman Tsarukyan in early 2025, although the UFC has yet to officially confirm the matchup.
Chandler believes he’s proven himself within the UFC, taking on some of the toughest fighters the promotion has to offer. He’s confident that come Sunday morning, he will be seen as the third-highest-ranked fighter in the lightweight division.
“I obviously knocked out Dan Hooker, but now he’s ranked ahead of me because of his recent resurgence,” Chandler said at UFC 309 media day. “This is the most violent and exciting division in the UFC, and I’m so blessed to be a part of it. On Saturday night, I’ll be very blessed to be the highest-ranked guy in it — not named Arman Tsarukyan or Islam Makhachev — and solidify myself as the No. 1 contender.”
Chandler and Oliveira first fought in May 2021 for the vacant UFC lightweight title. This is where Oliveira stopped Chandler in the second round.
