Michael Chandler, after a long time away from the Octagon, will finally make a return to the cage in the upcoming UFC 309 event this Sunday. Ahead of his fight with Charles Oliveira, the # 7 Lightweight opened up about his change of opinion on the current UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev. “The Iron” will be up against Charles “Do Bronx” Oliveira in the Co-Main event at UFC 309 at the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York City on Sunday.
Chandler has not fought ever since he was rumoured to be put up against Conor McGregor in what was supposed to be the biggest comeback in Combat Sports history. But the fight never materialised leaving Michael Chandler alone with a choice of either waiting for an opponent or moving forward with his career. Up until he was offered the UFC 309 event, he chose the first option. But now, he’ll enter the Octagon for the first time since his loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 289 on November 12, 2022.
Ahead of the fight, the now 38-year-old was asked about his views on the Champion of his division, Islam Makhachev. Michael Chandler agreed that he was Islam’s biggest Hater in the past but then shockingly revealed that he has grown to respect the fellow 155’er from Dagestan.
Michael Chandler stated, “Islam has done nothing but gain steam, and I have nothing but respect for him now. Trust me, I was the biggest hater. I was one of the biggest Islam haters, and I took a lot of flak for it, but he just hadn’t proven what he needed to prove to be the number one guy.”
Opening up about Islam Makhachev’s rise to the top, Michael Chandler confessed, “I think he beat, like, a #12 guy to get there, then fought Bobby Green and got a title shot. So it was an interesting way to get to the title.”
The Iron’s statements about Islam Makhachev go to show just how impressive the UFC Champion has been in recent times. Even his biggest haters are now fans. The title will be next put on the line most probably against the Armenian Arman Tsarukyan; a fight expected to take place at UFC 311 next year.
