UFC star Michael Chandler's toughness cannot be understated following his Fight of the Year contendership with Charles Oliveira at UFC 309.
Michael Chandler suffered a leg injury just minutes after his fight with Charles Oliveira in the UFC 309 co-main event. Despite several near finishes throughout the fight, Chandler went the full distance and nearly pulled off a 180-degree rally in the final minutes.
Chandler remains a top star despite the loss to Oliveira, which moved him to 2-4 in his promotion run after a lengthy stint with Bellator. Seconds after the official decision was read in Oliveira's favor, Chandler remained fiery in his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan and remastered his pursuit of Conor McGregor.
Injuries are common in mixed martial arts, and the physical toll fighters take during their careers is a recurring topic of conversation. For Chandler, he suffered one of the biggest damages of his career in the rematch with Oliveira, as he showed in a recent Instagram story post.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Michael Chandler shows off graphic leg scars after Charles Oliveira rematch
As you can see below, Chandler is in full recovery mode as he plots his expected return to the Octagon in 2025. His left leg has multiple scars and swelling, including two dent-like marks on his leg that looked like something you'd see after a car accident.
The extent of the damage to Chandler's left leg is uncertain as of this writing, but it is expected that he will miss at least a few months before returning to competition. The former Bellator lightweight champion continues to pursue a UFC title, despite his path becoming more complicated following his latest defeat.
Chandler suffered similar damage during his infamous clash with Justin Gaethje at UFC 268. He lost the fight by unanimous decision in a fight that saw both he and Gaethje leave the Octagon battered and bloodied after their three-round war.
Michael Chandler called for Conor McGregor to be rebooked after UFC 309
Before the UFC 309 loss to Oliveira, Chandler waited two years for McGregor to return to the Octagon after drafting him at UFC 281. He and McGregor coached opposite each other on The Ultimate Fighter 31 and were scheduled to fight at UFC 303 before McGregor withdrew. with a toe injury, with a week's notice.
The Chandler-McGregor fight could potentially take place in 2025, depending on McGregor's out-of-competition issues and when he resumes training full-time. UFC CEO Dana White recently hinted that McGregor will return to the cage in late 2025, but this is the latest in several delays in the Irish star's expected comeback.
Chandler has not recorded a UFC victory since knocking out Tony Ferguson with a front kick at UFC 274. After winning his UFC debut against Dan Hooker, he has suffered recent losses to Dustin Poirier and Gaethje.
It is uncertain when Chandler will return to the Octagon as he continues to recover from his ailments. If he does, fans can expect Chandler to get a yellow card against another big name, possibly his highly anticipated opponent.
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