UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev won’t invest his energy on Michael Chandler as a potential opponent.
Chandler (23-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC) revealed that he was offered a title shot against Makhachev in October after his main event with Conor McGregor this past Saturday at UFC 303 fell through.
However, Chandler made it clear that is priority is to rebook the McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) fight for UFC 306 Sept. 14 at the Sphere. He did poke at Makhachev after though, claiming that his wrestling his better than Makhachev’s sambo.
“Good old fashioned passionate American @MizzouWrestling beats sambo all day. @MAKHACHEVMMA.”
Good old fashioned passionate American @MizzouWrestling beats sambo all day. @MAKHACHEVMMA
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) July 2, 2024
“I’ve been your ass for 8 years…good, old-fashioned, passionate @MizzouWrestling beats Dagestani sambo every day of the week @MAKHACHEVMMA.”
I’ve been
your ass for 8 years…good, old-fashioned, passionate @MizzouWrestling beats Dagestani sambo every day of the week @MAKHACHEVMMA https://t.co/BXsldmIIzn
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) July 2, 2024
Chandler continued to angle for Makhachev.
I don’t get taken down in the open, I don’t get taken down on the cage…I don’t get taken down, period. #andNEW.”
I don’t get taken down in the open, I don’t get taken down on the cage…I don’t get taken down, period. #andNEW
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) July 2, 2024
Makhachev (25-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC) responded with a jab of his own, implying that Chandler plays by McGregor’s rules.
“You are unreliable dude, one tweet from your master, and you’ll run away. Champ needs real opponent.”
You are unreliable dude, one tweet from your master, and you’ll run away.
Champ needs real opponent. https://t.co/WcmHLvcsjI— Makhachev Islam (@MAKHACHEVMMA) July 2, 2024
Makhachev notched his third title defense by submitting Dustin Poirier at UFC 302 in June. No. 1 contender Arman Tsarukyan was expected to be next in line, but his nine-month suspension from the Nevada Athletic Commission for throwing a punch at a fan during his UFC 300 walkout may delay his return.
Chandler has been waiting for the McGregor fight to materialize. He hasn’t competed since a submission loss to Poirier in November 2022.