Of all the combat sports events taking place this weekend, the co-main of UFC 309 between Michael Chandler and Charles Oliveira might be the best of the bunch.
While Brazilian superstar was able to defeat Michael Chandler in their first fight, 'Iron' is on the warpath to regain that loss; and he knows exactly what he needs to do to raise his hand on Saturday night.
Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC
Michael Chandler wants to get the 'quitter' out of Charles Oliveira at UFC 309
Speaking to Daniel Cormier via the former doubles champion's YouTube channel, 'Iron' Michael Chandler was candid and honest about how he underestimated Charles Oliveira when they first fought back at UFC 262.
Chandler explained that heading into that lightweight title fight he had the attitude of “Ain't no one who can stay with me, I'm going to break this guy and he's going to quit,” before realizing in the second round that he was dealing with a reinvented Charles Oliveira.
“That didn't happen, now I have to respect the lead-up to this fight,” Chandler noted, before teasing that Oliveira is still a 'quitter' at heart and that his goal is to bring that quitter mentality back to the surface to drag. UFC309.
“Previous fights before that where he quit, feigned an injury or whatever it was; Now Charles has changed that tune and changed public perception… But once a quitter, always a quitter – and that little quitter is still in him, I think it's just things deep inside him.”
Before 'do Bronx' began his iconic title run that saw him return to superstardom, he had developed a reputation for ending fights early, primarily through his fights against Max Holloway, Cub Swanson and Paul Felder.
“We all have a quitter in us, we all have it,” Chandler continued.
“It just needs to get out there and maybe I can do that on Saturday… Maybe I can do it, maybe I can't, maybe it's a knock-down-drag-out war, I don't know.”
Michael Chandler wants to capture the title of the book by separating Oliveira from consciousness
Michael Chandler enters UFC 309 as the #7 lightweight prospect, but knows a viral finish could earn him a title shot after Arman Tsarukyan next faces Islam Makhachev – rumored to take place in January 2025.
“I think when you're at the top of the division fighting the top guys, the title is always on the line. Whether you fight for it or not, you are one or two away from it.
“If I make the statement that I believe I'm going to make on Saturday night, I'll then fight for the title… I'll then fight for the title with a win, that's how I see it, but I'll also right a wrong.”
The bigger the finish, the more likely Chandler is to get his title wish – so how does 'Iron' see the UFC 309 co-main event playing out?
“So I've imagined that a few times, I don't know if it will be a right hook, a left hook, or what it will be… But Charles Oliveira will be separated from consciousness, I believe [that] 100%. It will be fun.”
UFC 309 takes place on Saturday, November 16 live from Madison Square Garden.
Related posts
Comments