Watch: Wholesome backstage interaction between former opponents Michael Chandler and Justin Gaethje at UFC 281
Justin Gaethje and Michael Chandler shared a wholesome moment as they greeted each other backstage. It was sheer respect displayed between the former rivals ahead of Chandler's fight against Dustin Poirier at UFC 281.
This time around last year at Madison Square Garden, Michael Chandler and Justin Gaethje engaged in a thrilling back-and-forth contest that earned them the Fight of the Night and Fight of the Year honors.
The lightweight contenders kicked off the main card of UFC 268 with one of the most brutal three-round encounters in UFC history, with each man swinging wildly from start to finish.
They traded massive blows that left each man bruised, battered, and bloodied after fifteen minutes. In the end, Gaethje was awarded the unanimous decision victory.
In a video posted on UFC's Instagram page, Gaethje can be heard asking Chandler:
"All good man. How are you? Good to see you."
Watch the clip below:
Michael Chandler expects a "tough, hard-fought battle" against Dustin Poirier
Michael Chandler recently revealed why his UFC 281 opponent Dustin Poirier is one of the most difficult challenges of his career. The former three-time Bellator lightweight champion will face the former UFC interim lightweight champion on the main card of UFC 281.
The former All-American wrestler made an impression on the rest of the UFC lightweight division by knocking out Dan Hooker on his debut at UFC 257.
Following the decisive victory, Chandler expressed an interest in facing Dustin Poirier for the vacant UFC lightweight title. Poirier declined the offer and that ignited a feud between the combatants.
Wow 🤩 @DustinPoirier vs @MikeChandlerMMA https://t.co/Dw7aYb9ueV
However, both Poirier and 'Iron' have shunned the contemptuousness and are going into the fight at UFC 281 with a competitive mindset.
In a recent interview with Michael Chandler, Ron Kruck of SuperBook Sports brought up an interesting fact about the two fighters. In their combined MMA career, the pair has 39 finishes.
Chandler stated in his preview of the upcoming fight that Dustin Poirier's fortitude makes him one of the most difficult challenges of his MMA career:
"One thing that can be discounted is the will of a man. When you look at Dustin Poirier, he's unbreakable. He's got the will of a champion. It's going to be a tough, hard-fought battle. I know exactly who I am fighting. And it's a guy that scares me, it's a guy that wakes me up in the morning and wants me to train hard."
Watch the full interview with Chandler below: