UFC star and lightweight contender Michael Chandler will face off against former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira in an important contender matchup at UFC 309 on Saturday. Though Chandler and Oliveira fought once before in May 2021, Chandler believes he can expose a certain "element" of the former champion's game.
More news: UFC News: Charles Oliveira Reacts to Rumor Fight With Michael Chandler is 'In Jeopardy'
When the pair squared off in the octagon in 2021, they both came out swinging. Chandler rocked Oliveira in the first round and nearly pulled off a guillotine choke. However, he nearly suffered the same fate when Oliveira took his back.
Chandler nearly finished Oliveira in the first round, but that was not the case. Chandler ended up getting caught by Oliveira in the opening moments of the second round, leading to Oliveira securing the lightweight belt.
Chandler understands that he should have been a bit more patient in exposing an element of Oliveira's game, which is that he can often "quit" in matches when faced with adversity.
Chandler joined "The Ariel Helwani Show" to discuss if believes that element still exists and if he plans to utilize a longer fight to wear down Oliveira.
Helwani states, "There used to be this knock on him [Oliveira]. You referenced it in the build-up to that fight and in the aftermath that he was a quitter. Obviously, I think he has proven that kinda be nonsense. Do you think there is any element of that left in him?"
"I do ... I am not calling him a quitter, but I do know I didn't put myself into a position to fight him for long enough to put pressure on him for long enough to instill second-guessing and doubts into his mind and spirit for long enough for that exit sign to be found. This time, I think we will," Chandler replies.
Chandler believes that with more patience, he can wear down Oliveira. It's hard not to believe that considering how hurt Oliveira was in the first round. Despite Chandler getting caught in the second, he appears to be gearing up for a longer fight this time around.
Chandler also spoke to Newsweek Sports exclusively about his matchup, echoing the same sentiments of how he hurt Oliveira in the first round.
"I believe I had him hurt really badly in the first fight, and I am excited to go out there and actually get the job done," Chandler stated.
Should Chandler "expose" Oliveira and walk away with his hand raised, he is likely to be given a title shot against whoever wins the lightweight belt between current champion Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan, which is likely happening sometime in early 2025.
For more on the UFC, head to Newsweek Sports.
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