UFC 274 free fight: Justin Gaethje outlasts Michael Chandler in all-time classic

Justin Gaethje versus Michael Chandler was exactly as advertised – if not better.

Lightweight sluggers Gaethje and Chandler met at UFC 268 this past November in what turned out to be one of the greatest fights in the promotion’s history.

Chandler came out charging in Round 1 and Gaethje met him right in the middle. Both men attacked with low calf kicks and it took just over a minute for them to start exchanging bombs in the pocket. Midway through the round, Chandler threw a flying knee followed by a big right which wobbled Gaethje, but Gaethje stumbled Chandler on the counter in what was a wild opening frame.

Both men slowed down the pace slightly in Round 2, but were still exchanging heavy leather. Gaethje’s leg kicks were starting to take a toll on Chandler’s left leg and about a minute-and-a-half into the round, Gaethje dropped Chandler with a thunderous uppercut, but somehow Chandler survived.

In Round 3, Gaethje continued to chop away at Chandler’s legs, who never stopped plodding forward. Chandler was able to pick Gaethje up and slam him, but Gaethje used a Granby roll to reverse him. Despite eating heavy shots from Gaethje, Chandler continued to call him on and the pair exchanged until the final bell, but it was Gaethje who got his hand raised after 15 minutes of carnage.

Gaethje (23-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) returns to action May 7 when he challenges lightweight champion Charles Oliveira (32-8 MMA, 20-8 UFC) at UFC 274 at Footprint Center in Phoenix.

Before he faces Oliveira, relive Gaethje’s war against Chandler in the video above.