Chandler Calls Out Makhachev

The UFC lightweight title is currently vacant, and therefore everyone is jockeying for position to get a bout in place with the belt up for grabs. And one man determined to make that happen is Michael Chandler. The former welterweight has been fighting at lightweight for over a decade now, and he has Islam Makhachev in his sights.

Chandler, 36, who goes by the nickname Iron, joined the UFC from Bellator in 2021, with his first two bouts against Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje ending in defeat. The reverse against the former was for the UFC lightweight title, but with Oliveira having been stripped of the title prior to his own fight with Gaethje when he missed weight, the belt is vacant once again. And with Chandler defeating Tony Ferguson in style last time out at UFC 274, the American fancies his chances.

The man he has called out, Islam Makhachev, has an unblemished UFC record, with ten wins from ten bouts. The thirty-year-old Russian has proved himself throughout his MMA career, and he’s moved quickly to suggest that a fight against Chandler would be “easy money” for him. And, in the eyes of many, Makhachev would start as the favourite based on the wins he has accrued since turning professional in 2010. He’s only ever lost on one occasion, and that was to Adriano Martins by TKO at UFC 192 back in 2015. Since then, he’s recorded ten straight wins, with six of those coming by stoppage.

At the time of writing, there is nothing confirmed in regard to Chandler and Makhachev meeting in the octagon. But, if they continue to build the fight via social media, and both sides are keen to make it happen, you can see it being scheduled at some point in the future. And the lightweight title being up for grabs is sure to add extra spice to the occasion. It could well turn out to be one of the contests of the year, and Oliveira could be crucial in making the fight happen indirectly.

The Brazilian has already stated that he expects to be out until the end of 2022, which opens the door for Chandler and Makhachev to take their chance now. They must strike while the iron is hot and the belt is available, as they know the opportunity may not present itself again. So it’s likely that the fighters and their respective camps will now be going all they can to get negotiations underway, with time very much of the essence.

It's also suggested that Oliveira has hopes to take on Conor McGregor in the future. And if a mega bout with the Notorious is made, again, it will make the meeting between Chandler and Makhachev more realistic. But there will be others monitoring the situation, with Dustin Poirier likely to be one of those watching proceedings from afar, with the lightweight title a significant draw for many.