"Bro's best win is Tony Ferguson" - Fans react after Michael Chandler sets sight on Islam Makhachev in 2025
Michael Chandler is not only exuding confidence that he will beat Charles Oliveira at UFC 309 but also that he will be the next challenger for the UFC lightweight title. Needless to say, the confident approach from Chandler has not resonated well with fans given his inconsistency in the UFC.
In an interview with MMA Junkie, Chandler told hosts George and Brian Garcia that he sees himself knocking out Oliveira in November before meeting Islam Makhachev in the center of the Octagon in 2025. 'Iron' has publicly declared that he will beat Oliveira at UFC 309 before, but repeated his short-term plan to become the next UFC lightweight champion.
Chandler said:
"I've been put in a position now where this is a No. 1 contender fight so I still believe in UFC gold and a 'C' will be next to my name in 2025. So I will go through Charles Oliveira in November and then Islam I believe is going to be in 2025."
For more reasons than one, fans were taken aback by the bold statement from Chandler. Since signing with the UFC in 2021, the 38-year-old is just 2-3 in the UFC, including a loss to Oliveira at UFC 262 for the then-vacant lightweight title.
One particularly pessimistic fan commented:
"Bro's best win is Tony Ferguson"
Other fans commented:
"I wish I had this level of delusion"
"Sure, and I plan on dating Ana de Armas in 2025"
"The champion has a name"
View more fan reactions to Michael Chandler predicting a UFC belt in his future below:
![Fans reacting to Michael Chandler saying he will become a UFC champion in 2025. [via @mmajunkie on X]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/09/2b312-17273811871764-1920.jpg?w=500)
Watch the full interview with Michael Chandler from MMA Junkie on YouTube below:
UFC 262: Charles Oliveira vs. Michael Chandler 1
The first time Michael Chandler met Charles Oliveira, the UFC lightweight title had just been vacated by longtime champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. Chandler was just one fight into his UFC career — a knockout win over Dan Hooker in his debut — with Oliveira entering his 28th UFC fight.
Though he was not credited with an official knockdown, Chandler started out hot in the first round and hurt 'Do Bronx' with his right hand. However, the Brazilian was able to make it back to the stool and just seconds into the second round, completely turned the tables with a counter left hook that floored 'Iron.' Another left hook would put Chandler down for good with ensuing ground-and-pound ending the fight.