While MMA fans are excited to see Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic back in action, the co-main event of UFC 309 is expected to be much more exciting as Michael Chandler is set to face former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira.
The last time the pair sparred, the Brazilian star overcame some early adversity to score an impressive technical knockout in the second round; Now, the inspiring American is keen to right that wrong… and plans to do so in an equally brutal way.
Photo by Josh Hedges/Zova LLC Michael Chandler aims to break the ‘Madison Square Garden curse’ at UFC 309
Speaking on the latest episode of The Ariel Helwani Show, popular lightweight Michael Chandler got honest and candid about a range of topics, both personal and professional, ahead of his long-awaited return to competition at UFC 309.
The fascinating hour-long interview is worth listening to in its entirety, with Chandler explaining that a major part of his motivation this time around is to break the “curse” he has suffered throughout his career while fighting in the world’s most famous ring. .
“I got beat at MSG 3-0. I just met a guy who had been in all three of my fights at MSG and he was like, ‘Hey buddy, we’re going to break the MSG curse.’” [at UFC 309]“.”
Chandler has lost his previous two UFC bouts at MSG, a third-round submission to Dustin Poirier and a unanimous decision to Justin Gaethje, in addition to the Doctor’s defeat to Brent Primus for the Bellator lightweight title in 2017.
“But I also look at it as another layer [of motivation] “Where I say, ‘Of course, this is the way it was supposed to be,’” the veteran lightweight contender stated.
“To fight the man who already defeated you and shattered your dreams, and to also fight in the arena that shattered your dreams every time, you never won there and now it’s time to right that wrong.”
While there is no shortage of superstitious fighters in the UFC, Chandler is certainly not one of them, as he revealed that he specifically requested to fight at MSG after his initial comeback in October fell through.
“No, not even a little [superstitious]; I wanted to, I ordered this card, we talked about October, and I wanted to fight in October, but I needed to make a serious, legitimate weight cut. [first].
“Like ‘Hey, I’ve been preparing my mind and body to be 170 lbs for the last year and a half, and now I only have 10 weeks to get to 155 lbs for October’… That wasn’t going to happen; it was too early, and I needed some time , [but] I wanted MSG, and we got MSG.
Michael Chandler vows to knock Oliveira unconscious at UFC 309
Given how Charles Oliveira was able to knock Chandler down just seconds into the second round of their famous UFC 262 title fight, the veteran lightweight is confident he can get that finish back.
“So, I’ve already envisioned it a few different times. I don’t know if it’s going to be a right hand or a left hook or what it’s going to be…but Charles Oliveira is going to be knocked out, I think.” [that] 100%. “It’s going to be fun.”
Interestingly, Chandler also mentioned that he was “too young” and too green when he faced Oliveira again in 2021 – this, despite entering that bout with a professional record of 22-5.
“In the second round, I made a really silly mistake that I’ve since cleaned up… I was so young, man… Even though I was old, I was so young, and I was so new to the sport, and I had two and a half years left.” . Minutes of octagon experience, and two and a half minutes of UFC cage time.
“Not only have I grown as a fighter, but obviously outside of the octagon, outside of competition, in the last couple of years, I’ve changed a lot of things and a lot of things that I’ve worked on and a lot of things. I’ve turned into a completely different guy.”
UFC 309 will be broadcast live from Madison Square Garden on Saturday, November 16.
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