Every single MMA fan is confused right now. With rumors flying around regarding Michael Chandler’s much-awaited return at UFC 309 being in jeopardy, who can stay calm? Well, definitely not us! After the desperate situations ‘Iron Mike’ had to go through following Conor McGregor’s withdrawal from UFC 303, a fight against Charles Oliveira, the #2 contender in the UFC’s lightweight division, seemed to have lifted the shroud of disappointment. But that didn’t last long enough. With just a few days left to the bout, talks about ‘Do Bronx’ pulling out of the fight have started flowing around the town.

Rest assured, because neither Chandler nor Oliveria said anything to substantiate the rumors. But let’s side with the rumors for a couple of minutes, shall we? In case the fight is actually in jeopardy, someone would have to fill in to fight Chandler on short notice. Let’s see who can put up a good fight and entertain us in the best possible way. And the first guy to deliver the good news was Dustin Poirier.

Dustin Poirier offers to step in for Charles Oliveira against Michael Chandler

The first man that Dana White might look up to is indeed Poirier. While the ‘Diamond’ previously decided to hang his gloves following his unfortunate loss to Islam Makhachev, he kept a sliver of hope attached to his return. And he chose to step back as a replacement for the #2 lightweight contender. The rumors of ‘Do Bronx’ backing away found their way to Poirier, as well. He took to X and expressed his surprise on the 6th of November. Poirier wrote, “Charles really out vs Muscle Milk Mike??” After a few minutes, when Oliveira reacted to the news with a wondering emoji, Poirier offered to step in as a replacement. He tweeted, “I’m in.”

Dustin Poirier and Michael Chandler have already fought once before at UFC 281. Within just 2 minutes of the third and final round, ‘Diamond’ locked in on the former Bellator champion, and forced him to tap out with a rear naked choke. Needless to say, a rematch against the former interim lightweight champion is indeed something that Chandler needs to prove his strength. 

And as far as a match between Poirier and Oliveira was concerned, the duo clashed back at UFC 269. And the outcome? Oliveira broke the ‘Diamond’ and submitted him with an RNC in the third round. Uncanny similarity to Poirier’s fight with Chandler, don’t you think? And right after the fight, ‘Do Bronx’ said, “They talk, I answer,” on the microphone. But UFC 309 has a different story. 

Of course, the ‘Diamond’ wasn’t the only lightweight who put their hands up for a fight against ‘Iron’. Dan Hooker has also stepped up to have a rematch with Chandler.

Dan Hooker vs Michael Chandler 2 isn’t a bad idea either

Talking to ESPN back in 2021, the New Zealander talked about taking up the fight against Islam Makhachev on short notice for UFC 267. No doubt, he didn’t regret his decision, even though he faced defeat within the first round of the bout. And it was all because he felt like he was closer to a shot at the lightweight championship title. He said, “I feel like this gives me a title shot. I feel everyone is trying to skate him to a title fight, and that’s mine if I beat him.” The ‘Hangman’ continued, “I feel like I felt with the Michael Chandler fight [in January 2021], when he went on to a title fight.”

In another interview with MacLife, Hooker confirmed that there was nobody else coming up to fight the Dagestani. So he had no choice but to step up, even though it resulted in a heartbreaking defeat. And he might just do the same against Chandler. The last time they fought (back at UFC 257), ‘Iron’ rocked the New Zealander with his left hook, and brought him down in the second with a TKO via punches. 

Now, it’s high time for Hooker to take charge and show the world what he’s made of by giving it his all against Chandler in a rematch. And not many believe that he would give up such a golden chance. However, there is one more fighter whom the fighting community has dreamt of pitting against ‘Iron’. And it’s none other than ‘The Great’ Alexander Volkanovski! But there’s a question attached to this matchup.

Can Alexander Volkanovski take another short-notice fight?

Volkanovski was always open to save the day by swooping in to fight Chandler. Even though it makes ‘Iron’ sound like a villain, he’s actually the victim here. With the uncertainty of Conor McGregor’s return surrounding UFC 303, the former Australian featherweight champ once said on Submission Radio, “Maybe they need a late notice replacement again, so I’m always keen to throw my hand up… Yeah, 100% (I’d be interested in fighting Chandler). As long as it’s a big fight, I wouldn’t just take any fight, like you said that (UFC 303 main event) is a big deal, save the day, I don’t know, I feel like I just love to save the day, I’m just that good of a guy.”

With the way the rumors of Oliveira pulling out are spreading through the internet, we might just witness Volkanovski jumping in again, agreeing to fight Chandler. However, there is one factor that might hinder the matchup. Volkanovski’s weight, as of 2024, is 145 lbs. Whereas, Chandler fights in a completely different weight class with 155 lbs weight. Even though it would be a pretty good matchup, it’s not something the matchmakers would be actively looking for. 

On the other hand, the famed MMA reporter, Ariel Helwani, has confirmed that the co-main event for UFC 309 isn’t in jeopardy. In a video he posted on social media, the reporter said, “I reached out to Chandler’s team and was told news to them. I reached out to a couple people, and they said news to them. Typically when something like this happens, there does seem to be smoke to the fire… but as of right this moment, I have not heard that the fight is off.”

But in case something does happen, who do you think will come in as the replacement? Let us know what you think in the comments down below.