UFC Lightweight Star Michael Chandler Koos Wie he believes has the best chance of giving Ilia Topuria his first defeat of the career.
UFC Lichtweight Champion Ilia Topuria is now at the top of the hope of the pound-for-pound rankings of the promotion after eliminating Charles Oliveira on UFC 317. Topuria joined an exclusive club at UFC 317 when he became the newest second-division title holder of the UFC.
After earning the belt, Topuria is linked to matchups with different top light weights, including Justin Gaethje and Arman Tsarukyan. Tsarukyan was supposed to give UFC 311 against Islam Makhachev earlier this year before he withdrew due to injury.
Michael Chandler has participated in various contenders who make intriguing things for a title shot, including Paddy Pimblett and Gaethje. But Chandler believes that one lightweight is above the rest when it comes to giving Topuria a dangerous challenge.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Michael Chandler makes a surprising choice for those who have the best chance of beating Ilia Topuria
During a recent performance on the Ariel Helwani show, Chandler weighed on the lightweight title mix and has the best chance of beating Topuria.
“I would give it to Gaethje, and if not Gaethje, then probably Paddy [Pimblett]”Said Chandler.
“The strange thing is that Gaethje clearly cleared it up a lot. The old Gaethje would probably be put because he would come across one of those big punches. He certainly has cleared it up, Paddy stays away, and as big as he talks, he is a little knowledge and avoids the power. Arman is probably the best grapper in the division.
“The best chance to beat Ilia? I would still go Gaethje,” Chandler continued. “Only because of how impressive his entire career has been, and he has cleaned it up a bit and I believe he will fight more tactically. I think he would fight tactically and he has the best chance of beating him.”
Chandler and Gaethje put one of the biggest fights in UFC history at UFC 268. In a three-round war, Chandler fell to Gaethje through a unanimous decision, despite the fact that Gaethje was a significant danger in the opening round.
Gaethje has won victories and losses in the UFC Lightweight Division, but is fresh from a victory over Rafael Fiziev on UFC 313. He bounced back impressively after a buzzing knockout loss for Max Holloway at UFC 300.
Topuria hopes to return to the Octagon at the end of the year to defend the UFC light weight title, but his refusal to face one top candidate has complicated the title mix.
Ilia Topuria continues to refuse fighting with top candidate Arman Tsarukyan
Topuria has repeatedly rejected the idea of fighting Tsarukyan for his fighting title defense. The UFC Lightweight Champion has gone as far as threatening to leave the belt if the promotion offers him the Tsarukyan fight.
This has left many top hunters and analysts, including former lightweight competitor Paul Felder, who reprimanded Topuria because he refused to fight Tsarukyan. After Tsarukyan's UFC 311 -back -back, UFC CEO Dana White and the matchmakers Tsarukyan told that he had to win at least one fight before he deserves a different title shot.
Enter Gaethje, who could possibly get the next title shot about the old enemy of Topuria, Pimblett and Tsarukyan. Gaethje is 0-2 in linear UFC Lightweight title fights in his career in De Kooi.