UFC News: Michael Chandler Backs Surprising Lightweight to Receive Next Title Shot

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James Brizuela is a contributing sports writer located in Los Angeles. His focus is on Comics, Comic Book Movies, Video Games, NFL, and MMA. He has in-depth knowledge of the NFL as a whole, having been a fan for over 30 years, and covering the sports over the last six years. He also knows the ins and outs of the comics world, becoming an editor while covering everything DC and beyond on Comic Book Resources, Giant Freakin Robot, and Inside the Magic. James joined Newsweek in March 2024, having previously written NFL content for Sports Illustrated. He is a graduate of the University of California, Riverside. You can get in touch with James by emailing, j.brizuela@newsweek.com. You can find him at X @james_brizuela. 


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The UFC lightweight division is one of the most stacked in the entirety of MMA. The division features champion Islam Makhachev and a rotation top 10 that includes some of the most exciting fighters on the roster.

More news: Michael Chandler Says Paddy Pimblett Is A Step Down From Past Opponents

Michael Chandler, Charles Oliveira, Dustin Poirier, and more all populate the top rankings, and all have either held the belt or challenged for it. Chandler is currently set for another big fight in the division, as he is set to fight star Paddy "The Baddy" Pimblett at UFC 314.

Though Chandler has tried and failed to reach lightweight gold, he is now backing a surprise lightweight to challenge Makhachev for the belt. While speaking to media ahead of UFC 314, Chandler revealed he wants to see Justin Gaethje take another crack at the belt.

"If I'm thinking with my heart, I want Gaethje to get a shot. Gaethje being the number one guy and putting that number one ranking on the line against Max Holloway for the BMF belt, and then losing that and drops down a notch. Charles and I were the number one contender fight. But now you got Topuria coming up, Poirier retiring, Islam talking about going up to 170..."

Chandler is correct in that the lightweight division has had a lot of movement in the last year or so. Number one contender Arman Tsarukyan was supposed to challenge for the belt but was forced out of the fight.

Michael Chandler
Michael Chandler walks to the Octagon prior to facing Charles Oliveira of Brazil for their Championship Lightweight Bout at the UFC 262 event at Toyota Center on May 15, 2021 in Houston, Texas. Carmen Mandato/Getty Images

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Now, it appears that he might be pushed down further in lieu of another challenger. Topurai and Oliveira has been rumored and was leaked on social media, though that has not been confirmed.

Gaethje recently took down Rafael Fiziev and has challenged for the belt before. He held the lightweight title in 2020 when he defeated Tony Ferguson. However, he lost the belt to Khabib Nurmagomedov later that year.

Gaethje also took on Oliveira for the belt in 2022 but lost to submission. Though he is the number three ranked lightweight on the UFC roster, it will be interesting to see if the UFC would be willing to let him take on Makhachev.

Chandler is backing the fight simply because regardless of Gaethje's recent losses, he is one of the best lightweights in the world. It just depends if Makhachev wants that fight to happen, or if he plans to move up to 170 as Chandler stated.

For more on the UFC, head to Newsweek Sports.

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About the writer

James Brizuela is a contributing sports writer located in Los Angeles. His focus is on Comics, Comic Book Movies, Video Games, NFL, and MMA. He has in-depth knowledge of the NFL as a whole, having been a fan for over 30 years, and covering the sports over the last six years. He also knows the ins and outs of the comics world, becoming an editor while covering everything DC and beyond on Comic Book Resources, Giant Freakin Robot, and Inside the Magic. James joined Newsweek in March 2024, having previously written NFL content for Sports Illustrated. He is a graduate of the University of California, Riverside. You can get in touch with James by emailing, j.brizuela@newsweek.com. You can find him at X @james_brizuela. 


Writers Page

James Brizuela is a contributing sports writer located in Los Angeles. His focus is on Comics, Comic Book Movies, Video ... Read more