"Most reliable guy in the sport" Michael Chandler responds to "fake news" ahead of UFC 309: "I'm healthy, wealthy and wise"
Former UFC lightweight title challenger Michael Chandler put an end to the rumors that his UFC 309 bout with former divisional king Charles Oliveira is in jeopardy. Chandler, who already had quite the disappointing 2024 when his mega-fight with Conor McGregor got canceled back in June, couldn't afford to let another high-profile bout slip through his fingers.
In a video uploaded to X, the lightweight star addressed the rumors in typical 'Iron' fashion. He said:
"Hey, by the way, the entire MMA world right now. I am healthy, wealthy, and wise. I never missed weight. I've never pulled out of a fight. I worked too damn hard to get injured or not show up for you guys. I'll see you there on November 16. Like always, the most reliable guy in the sport. God bless, See you at the top."
Rumors started circulating this week that the UFC is scrambling to find replacements for UFC 309's co-main event. The chatter became so loud that even former interim UFC lightweight champion Dustin Poirier had to sound off (with a friendly verbal jab):
"Charles really out vs muscle milk mike??"
Michael Chandler faces Charles Oliveira in a rematch of their 2021 world title classic
As if the heavyweight world title bout between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic isn't enough for you to watch UFC 309 on Nov. 16, the co-main event will be a five-round rematch between Michael Chandler and Charles Oliveira.
If their first bout at UFC 262 in May 2021 is any indication of how this fight will go, then we have a sleeper Fight of the Night at our hands. The two first faced each other for the vacant UFC lightweight throne that Khabib Nurmagomedov vacated.
The bout was a tale of two rounds. The first round saw 'Iron' threatening 'do Bronx' on the feet, prompting the Brazilian submission artist to use his grappling to take the American's back. After nearly getting submitted by the owner of the most finishes in the UFC, Chandler connected with several hard punches that nearly put Oliveira away.
In the second round, Charles Oliveira turned things around and used Michael Chandler's best weapons against him - concussive punches. After landing a perfectly placed left hook, Oliveira claimed the belt by finishing Chandler off on the ground. The win set a new record for finishes in the UFC with 17, which Oliveira later extended to 20 after a few years.