UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev has expressed skepticism about Michael Chandler as a potential opponent, citing Chandler’s lack of reliability.
Chandler (23-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC) disclosed that UFC offered him a title shot against. Makhachev following the cancellation of his main event fight with Conor McGregor at UFC 303. Despite this, Chandler’s primary focus remains on rescheduling the McGregor (22-6 MMA, 10-4 UFC) bout for UFC 306 on September 14 at the Sphere. Chandler didn’t hesitate to taunt Makhachev, asserting the superiority of his wrestling over Makhachev’s sambo.
Chandler tweeted: “Good old fashioned passionate American @MizzouWrestling beats sambo all day. @MAKHACHEVMMA.”
He further stated: “I’ve been 🎯 your ass for 8 years… good, old-fashioned, passionate @MizzouWrestling beats Dagestani sambo every day of the week @MAKHACHEVMMA.”
Continuing his campaign for a fight, Chandler added: “I don’t get taken down in the open, I don’t get taken down on the cage… No one takes me down, period. #andNEW.”
Makhachev (25-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC) retorted by questioning Chandler’s reliability, suggesting that Chandler is under McGregor’s influence.
“You are unreliable dude, one tweet from your master, and you’ll run away. Champ needs a real opponent,” Makhachev tweeted.
Makhachev recently secured his third title defense by submitting Dustin Poirier at UFC 302 in June. While UFC anticipate No. 1 contender Arman Tsarukyan to be next in line, his nine-month suspension from the Nevada Athletic Commission for throwing a punch at a fan during his UFC 300 walkout may delay his return.
Chandler has been waiting for the McGregor fight to come to fruition and hasn’t compete since a submission loss to Poirier in November 2022.
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