Israel Adesanya points to his loss to Dricus du Plessis while breaking down Charles Oliveira vs. Michael Chandler clash at UFC 309
Charles Oliveira and Michael Chandler will go to war in the co-main event of UFC 309 on Nov. 16. With the bout just days away, former champion Israel Adesanya shared his breakdown, referencing his recent loss to Dricus du Plessis while doing so.
Oliveira and Chandler previously faced off at UFC 262 for the vacant lightweight title in 2021, with 'do Bronx' securing a second-round KO win. 'Iron' has fought three times since, with his most recent bout coming against Dustin Poirier in November 2022.
After an unsuccessful bid to fight Conor McGregor, the 38-year-old will return to the octagon after two years on the sidelines, and Adesanya believes he may struggle to re-adjust to the "furnace" of fighting at the highest level.
'The Last Stylebender' himself had taken a hiatus from fighting ahead of his clash against du Plessis. During his UFC 309 co-main event breakdown, he pointed to that break and said this:
"'Do Bronx' just fought what, in June? I don't want to say cage rust is a thing, but it's not that. It's just being comfortable in the furnace. LIke my last fight, I was comfortable, but then the furnace. Physically, it's not just about mental, physically can your body handle the furnace? It's been a while since [Chandler's] body has been in the furnace. You can simulate it in training as much as you want but the furnace is different."
Check out Israel Adesanya's breakdown of Charles Oliveira vs. Michael Chandler 2 below (9:16):
Michael Chandler shares prediction for Charles Oliveira rematch
UFC 309 will see a thrilling lightweight title eliminator clash between the marauding Charles Oliveira and the ever-entertaining Michael Chandler. If their first fight is anything to go by, their rematch will be an epic clash, and 'Iron' recently shared an uber-confident prediction for the bout.
The Missouri native is regarded as one of the most dangerous first-round fighters worldwide, alongside the likes of Khamzat Chimaev. Ahead of his return to the hallowed octagon, Chandler was interviewed by Ariel Helwani, where he shared the following prediction:
"So, I've actually envisioned that a couple different times. I don't know if it's gonna be a right hand, left hook, or what it's gonna be. But Charles Oliveira is gonna be separated from consciousness, I believe."
Watch Michael Chandler predict his bout with Charles Oliveira below: