If Michael Chandler could right the wrongs of his UFC past, he’d have to sign a new contract.  ‘Iron Mike’ has big plans for 2025 which include big names like Islam Makhachev and even Conor McGregor, who kept him sidelined for more than a year and a half. Among those plans, are also Max Holloway and Justin Gaethje. Michael Chandler has called for a rematch with Justin Gaethje twice now, the first being after the former beat Dustin Poirier for the BMF belt. Even with the latest callout, ‘The Highlight’ is still not interested in ‘Iron’, as he has plans for his own revenge.

After his stunning victory at UFC 309, Charles Oliveira has issued a warning to all the lightweights out there. It seems that the former champion has caught the attention of Justin Gathje. After taking a break from the sport his next focus is on unfinished business with the former lightweight champion, Oliveira. During a recent interview, he pointed out why exactly he wants to take on the Brazilian next.

Justin Gaethje wants to settle things with Charles Oliveira once and for all

Justin Gaethje sits a spot below Charles Oliveira at #3 on the lightweight rankings. Like Michael Chandler, Gaethje is on the hunt for rematches and wants to even his score with ‘do Bronx’. When asked by Helen Yee, if he was interested in fighting Michael Chandler again, Gaethje said, “No, I mean, I’m more interested in a rematch with Oliveira you know, or Poirier but I prefer something new. I think me and Poirier would be a great fight you know. If it is his last one. I just think that we’re both contenders and I don’t think we’re contenders if we fight each other. And so I’m content with the one and one, hopefully he is.”

It’s clear that the ‘The Highlight’ wants to get closer to a title shot and fighting ‘Iron’ at this point won’t guarantee his move up the rankings towards the championship. According to him, a fight against Oliveira or Dustin Poirier will help his run in the division.

As for Michael Chandler, the road ahead doesn’t look especially promising, with him in the twilight of his career. Chandler went five rounds against Charles Oliveira in one of the most epic back-and-forths in recent history. While the fight entertained fans, it took a toll on both the fighters, with Michael Chandler feeling it early during their fight. Let’s take a look at what happened.

Michael Chandler on how he battled pain at UFC 309 against Charles Oliveira

When Charles Oliveira and Michael Chandler stepped into the Octagon at UFC 309, the stakes couldn’t have been higher. For Oliveira, it was a chance to reaffirm his dominance in the division. For Chandler, it was an opportunity to even the score after their first encounter at UFC 262, where Oliveira claimed the lightweight title with a dramatic second-round TKO.

In a recent episode of ‘Bussin’ With The Boys’, Chandler revealed that it was an injury that led to a drop in his performance. The former champion revealed that Oliveira injured his leg in the first round via a kneebar.  However, he did not realize the extent of the injuries he sustained and kept the fight going.

We went to war; we did our thing. My body, the most pain I’ve ever been in my entire life. The most injuries I’ve ever had in a fight, for sure.”, said Chandler, opening up about the extent of his injuries. He continued, “Peed blood, inflammation all over; my whole body is swollen… The first (blood in my urine) was very light, which was in my drug test. New York drug-tested me before and after the fight… It had a light tint, and the second one was beet-looking juice. It was dark. My whole body hurt.”

This fight also took a toll on the Brazilian fighter as this was the first time ‘do Bronx’ fought for five rounds in his entire career of 46 fights. The former lightweight champion almost got finished in a come-from-behind moment from Michael Chandler, but survived enough to win the fight. Had he crumbled to Chandler’s big shots, history would have been telling a very different story, and Chandler would have been on the cusp of a title shot.

Regardless, what do you think of Justin Gaethje’s preference for fighting Charles Oliveira over Michael Chandler? Let us know in the comments below.