Has it really been three years since Charles Oliveira claimed the vacant lightweight title? As we all gear up for UFC 309 on November 16th, the co-main event, a rematch between ‘Do Bronx’ and Michael Chandler, carries even more weight than their last encounter. For Oliveira, this fight is about solidifying his legacy, as Chandler puts it, “Once you’ve beaten a guy, now you’re supposed to beat him again.” The pressure, then, is squarely on the Brazilian rather than him. But for ‘Iron’ Mike Chandler, this is his ultimate shot at redemption, a chance to finally avenge a loss that’s haunted him. Could this fight be a defining moment both have been waiting for?

A whiff of a possible promise from Dana White was revealed during a recent interview with the ESPN MMA, where Oliveira laid down the stakes for this fight. “That’s the guy I need to go through because I want to be a champion,” Oliveira stated, from which it’s crystal clear that, a win over Chandler will place him directly in the line for a shot at the lightweight title. Therefore, now it’s not just another bout, but his ticket back to the top of the 155 lbs division.

The same is the case for Chandler. A win would land him back in the top five of the rankings and that means a shot at the title. At the same time, it makes him an all the more attractive option to the elusive Conor McGregor too. A win would see Chandler go from the guy who chased a McGregor fight for two years to a guy who can keep McGregor as one of his few big-fight options. Chandler could even chose to welcome Max Holloway back to lightweight in a BMF title fight; who wouldn’t watch that? And all of this while evening the score with Charles Oliveira who he almost had the first time around.

Their history in the Octagon definitely adds a fierce backdrop to this rematch. Oliveira’s second-round knockout victory over Chandler at UFC 262 still lingers, and ‘Iron’ is determined to even the score. With such high stakes, who has the mental and physical edge to come out on top? While Chandler assures that a ‘new’ version of himself will show up on Saturday for us to witness, Oliveira is confident that Chandler will revert to his old hunting mannerisms.

A division’s future hinges on Charles Oliveira vs. Michael Chandler

“He became champion for a reason,” Chandler said of Oliveira, acknowledging his opponent’s skill while also hinting at his own resolve to push Oliveira to his limits. Beyond just a win, this fight could alter the division’s trajectory. The winner of the ‘lightweight title eliminator’ will likely face the victor of Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan which is to take place early next year. Moreover, for Chandler, this fight isn’t just about skill, but rather it’s a battle of wills.

Chandler has openly questioned Oliveira’s resilience, hinting at the psychological warfare he intends to bring to the cage. “Quit is still there; it’s just stuffed a little bit further down,” he remarked. “We’ve all got a little bit of quit in us,” Chandler continued, “You just got to keep putting the position to succumb to it, so that’s my goal on Saturday night, to push him to that point, make him find the exit sign, look for the exit sign, and me to usher him towards it.”

Are we ready to witness the showdown with such far-reaching implications? With Oliveira coming off a split decision loss to Arman in UFC 300, and Chandler entering the Octagon following a submission loss against Dustin Poirier, both fighters know the consequences of this battle, that will ripple through the division. And with Dana White’s promise of a title shot for Oliveira, will he be able to reclaim what was once his? Or will Chandler direct him to the dreaded exit? What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments below!