UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler believes his “integrity” was wrongly called into question in the aftermath of his defeat earlier this month.
Having previously been on the wrong end of a memorable comeback form “do Bronx” in their 2021 title showdown, the former Bellator champion had his sights set on redemption in New York City.
But “Iron” fell convincingly short of that on fight night, with Oliveira securing a convincing decision victory following a dominant five rounds from the Brazilian.
According to Chandler, however, the claim he consistently fouled at UFC 309 was a lie created by those sat cageside with mic in hand.
During an appearance on Wednesday’s episode of The Ariel Helwani Show on Uncrowned, Chandler commented on how his actions were commentated over by Jon Anik, Joe Rogan, and Daniel Cormier after rewatching the broadcast.
“Watching it on TV wasn’t as appealing to me,” Chandler said. “A little bit of the commentary (bothered me) when it comes to some of the stuff they were saying — the misinterpretation of what the back of the head is by the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial arts, the misinterpretation of what cage-grabbing is, and a couple of different things.
“I’m an honest guy. I try to live pretty full of integrity and full of honest, and a narrative that has been painted is not very interesting to me. I’m not very happy about it,” Chandler continued. “I’m not going to say I didn’t do anything wrong. … (But) 90 percent of the shots at least, most of them…all of them, my hand, my fist was catching the ear. If you’re catching the ear, that is not the back of the head. … A referee who was within two feet away never said one thing about it. Then you’ve got commentators 35 feet away saying it’s the back of the head.”
Those controversial strikes came in the final round when Chandler enjoyed his only success of the fight. With that in mind, he gave his performance a “2 out of 10” rating during the same interview with Helwani.
And although he maintained his reputation as an entertainer in the dying moments at UFC 309, the result has left “Iron” with a losing 2-4 record in the Octagon — something he’ll look to rectify in 2025.
Nothing but respect after two incredible battles between Charles Oliveira and Michael Chandler 🤝 #UFC309
Michael Chandler’s recent struggles in the octagon have provided an opportunity for his former rival, Brent Primus, to weigh in on his performance.
Chandler’s latest fight occurred at UFC 309, where he was defeated by former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira. Over his last six fights, the former Bellator star has a 2-4 record, with his most recent victory being a knockout of Tony Ferguson at UFC 274 in May 2022.
Primus and Chandler share a contentious history. Their first bout in June 2017 ended with the latter suffering a TKO loss. However, Chandler evened the score in their rematch at Bellator 212 a year later, earning a decision win.
Speaking to MMA Fighting in a recent interview, Primus didn’t hold back in his criticism of Chandler’s recent performance.
“Man, he looked like crap in his last fight,” Primus remarked. “His footwork, he was falling everywhere. He was throwing his right hand like he was throwing a baseball. I was not impressed with his performance.
“His callout was kind of cringey. I don’t like that guy. I think Chandler, he’s a cheater. I feel like he’s a dirty fighter. I just don’t like that guy at all,” Primus continued. “Watching Oliveira pick him apart like that, it was kind of fun to see for sure.”
Primus went on to describe his ex-opponent’s loss as “embarrassing,” particularly in light of his two-year hiatus while waiting for a fight with Conor McGregor.
“You sit out for two years and wait for somebody, that’s what happens,” he said.
Former MMA referee John McCarthy did not mince his words when analyzing UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler’s latest setback inside the Octagon.
After an unsuccessful wait to share the cage with Conor McGregor, “Iron” finally moved on and set his sights on redemption opposite “Do Bronx,” who previously knocked him out in 2021.
With the result, Chandler has now lost two straight and four of his six UFC fights. And that’s left one prominent figure in the sport giving a grim outlook on the 38-year-old’s status on MMA’s biggest stage.
During an episode of his Weighing In podcast alongside former UFC fighter Josh Thomson, McCarthy reflected on Chandler’s convincing defeat to Oliveira, which saw the Brazilian experience little adversity until a late surge from the American in round five.
The former referee and Bellator commentator compared him with another veteran fighter in Tony Ferguson, who has lost eight straight since his last victory in 2019.
“Michael Chandler has hit Tony Ferguson status. Just being honest,” McCarthy said. “Who’s he going to beat? He looked slow at times. You want to talk about looking slow, you cannot look slow in the lightweight division. You’re gonna die. And he got outwrestled by a jiu-jitsu guy.
“Michael Chandler got crushed. I mean, just crushed,” McCarthy continued. “The two years (away) showed that not only did Michael Chandler not improve as a fighter, but he declined, and he watched his career start to expire. … I like Michael Chandler as a person, and I think he’s great for the sport…(but) he’s calling out Conor McGregor after losing again — what the hell?! You can’t do that!”
Should Chandler get his wish in 2025, he may be departing the 155-pound division next time out.
Oliveira, meanwhile, has his eyes on regaining the ultimate prize. He’s widely expected to challenge the winner of Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan’s championship rematch, which is reportedly in the works for UFC 311 in Los Angeles early next year.
Michael Chandler’s latest appearance in the Octagon turned out to be one of the most punishing of his career.
Chandler ran it back with his former foe Charles Oliveira in the co-main event of UFC 309 last Saturday, only to fall short in a brutal five-round battle. “Do Bronx” surged out of the gates, dominating the first four rounds with his striking and then smothering Chandler on the ground.
It seemed like Oliveira was on cruise control toward victory but “Iron” found a second wind in the final round, landing heavy shots that stunned the Brazilian. However, Chandler’s late rally wasn’t enough.
During a recent appearance on Bussin’ With The Boys, “Iron” revealed that his rematch with Oliveira left him with the most severe damage he’s ever experienced in a fight.
The injuries sustained were the worst of his career, bringing with them intense pain, swelling, and a host of other physical setbacks.
“My body, the most pain I’ve ever been in my entire life,” Chandler said. “The most injuries I’ve had in a fight, for sure. 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… It had a light tint, and the second one was beet-looking juice. It was dark.”
“Iron” and Oliveira first collided at UFC 262 in May 2021, where the vacant 155-pound title was on the line. On that night, “Do Bronx” proved to be too much for Chandler and secured a stunning second-round knockout to claim the belt.
At UFC 309, Chandler made his long-awaited return to the Octagon after a two-year hiatus, during which he patiently waited for a high-profile matchup against Conor McGregor.
The former Bellator champion was initially booked to face “The Notorious” at UFC 303 in June, but the fight was ultimately called off after McGregor suffered an injury less than a month before the scheduled bout.
Despite falling short in his previous outing, Michael Chandler remains focused on securing a long-awaited fight with Conor McGregor.
Chandler last fought at UFC 309, where former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira defeated him. Over his last six fights, Chandler holds a 2-4 record, with his most recent victory being a knockout of Tony Ferguson at UFC 274 in May 2022. That win earned him Performance of the Night honors. Later in the year, Chandler engaged in a grueling bout against Dustin Poirier at UFC 281, which was awarded Fight of the Night despite ending in a submission loss for Chandler.
The highly anticipated matchup with McGregor was once within reach but ultimately fell apart. However, Chandler remains optimistic. While appearing on Bussin’ with the Boys, he expressed interest in reigniting the fight, targeting the summer of 2025.
“I think me and Conor International Fight Week is the next fight,” Chandler said. “That’s what I’m throwing out there. I think June, July.”
Chandler believes the fight is still on the table because both McGregor and the UFC want to finish the story they started on The Ultimate Fighter. He suggested that McGregor’s return to the octagon could lead directly to their long-awaited clash.
“I’m not saying it’s a real reality, but I am saying if he does, his road comes straight through Nashville, Tennessee,” Chandler explained. “His road back to the UFC, we have to finish The Ultimate Fighter. The UFC wants us to finish it. Conor wants to fight me, and he can fight anybody. He made a commitment.
“I’ve said this numerous times: I have no problem giving my opponents props. I think he is more sentimental and romantic about the sport than people give him credit for because he’s become this big, infamous brand. But he knows he’s nothing without the UFC octagon. He knows he’s nothing without the UFC. He was a plumber on welfare, sleeping on a couch. Without the UFC, he’s nothing. I don’t say that to take that away from him. We need our employers and brands to take us to the next level to create our lives.”
UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler believes he fought “23 minutes” of his rematch against Charles Oliveira with a severely compromised leg.
Chandler’s negative Octagon record took further damage at this past weekend’s UFC 309 pay-per-view, where he fell to 2-4 since making the switch from Bellator to the sport’s leading promotion a number of years ago.
In the co-main event at Madison Square Garden, Oliveira added his name to the American’s losing column once again, this time in much more convincing fashion.
While the Brazilian had to mount a memorable comeback to get the better of “Iron” back in 2022, he was on top from the word go when the pair ran it back. And after weathering a late burst from Chandler in round five, “Do Bronx” had his hand raised by way of a lopsided decision.
Given the success and near-title win he had against Oliveira previously, many were expecting more from the ex-Bellator champ. And that was evidently the case for the man himself, who believes he was prevented from competing at his best by a physical issue.
During a recent appearance on the Bussin’ With The Boys podcast, Chandler suggested that an early grappling exchange with Oliveira in the first round injured his knee, thus preventing him from employing his usual forward-pressure style.
“I think something happened to the knee in that first exchange when he had the leg and I did that full 360, he did a kneebar thing, because I walked back to the stool and I looked down at my left leg and it was not working right,” Chandler said. “It wasn’t stepping, it wasn’t catching, it was unstable, it was weird. … You know what it feels like to be on a solid foundation, to walk forward, move forward, attack, and I just wasn’t.
“Moving backwards was no problem, so my body and my brain was telling me moving backwards was cool but moving forward, planting and being in his face, pressure — even if you go back and watch the fifth [round] … whenever I was pursuing him, my leg was almost flopping rather than stalking and moving forward,” Chandler continued. “We’ll see what happened, but essentially for 23 minutes of that fight I don’t know if the leg was really working that well.”
Regardless, that won’t affect Oliveira’s celebrations as he looks ahead to an expected showdown opposite whoever emerges from Islam Makhachev’s defense against Arman Tsarukyan with the lightweight gold in their possession.
Former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor gave some surprising props to Michael Chandler a couple of days on from his defeat this past weekend.
Chandler made the walk for the first time in two years at Saturday’s UFC 309 pay-per-view, bringing an end to his long wait to share the cage with McGregor by running it back with ex-lightweight kingpin Charles Oliveira instead.
“Iron” had previously come inches away from defeating “Do Bronx” and becoming a UFC titleholder in just his second Octagon outing. A miraculous comeback from the Brazilian on that occasion, however, spoiled Chandler’s plans.
And in the co-main event at Madison Square Garden, Oliveira did so once again by establishing himself as the likely next in line for either Islam Makhachev or Arman Tsarukyan.
After remaining silent on fight night, McGregor finally gave his reaction to Chandler’s display in a now-deleted X post Monday night.
“Cut Michael Chandler! Just kidding, good fight,” McGregor wrote. “Mad little fellow is Michael. I like em’!”
McGregor’s comment was without a response to Chandler’s post-fight callout. Despite his previously failed wait, “Iron” once again had the Dubliner’s name on his lips as he pursues the lucrative showdown opposite his fellow TUF 31 coach in 2025.
Following his loss to Charles Oliveira in the co-main event of UFC 309, Michael Chandler called for two potential fights in the near future. “Iron” Mike admitted that he planned to push for the winner of the upcoming lightweight title fight between Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan which is expected to take place early next year.
After losing the first four rounds in his rematch with “Do Bronx”, which he nearly produced an all-time great comeback in during the fifth round, Chandler pivoted towards two huge match-ups that are still out there for him in the lightweight division. The most obvious of those two options is his long-awaited fight with Conor McGregor that somehow seems less likely than his other call out.
Chandler said that with Max Holloway committing to lightweight following his UFC 308 loss, he’d love the opportunity to fight for the BMF title that currently belongs to “Blessed”. Another name that is also in the mix for huge bouts at 155-pounds is Dan Hooker who commented on his former opponent’s BMF desires during a recent interview with Submission Radio.
“The Hangman” believes that contenders need to stop trying to decide who should fight for the BMF title because it’s a belt that is purely for the fans. He’s likely to be in that conversation as someone who always puts on great fights but Hooker isn’t going to start saying that this is what he wants next.
“I don’t see like Chandler calling for the BMF like why does everyone keep throwing their hands up for the BMF, it’s not up to us. It’s not our title, the BMF title is for the fans. It’s for the fans to kind of get the steam and get it together. People need to stop calling out for the BMF title brother. That’s the fans’ title, it’s their fun.”
Former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira was left frustrated by referee Keith Peterson’s officiating of this past weekend’s co-main event.
Oliveira delivered one of the performances of the night at Saturday’s UFC 309 pay-per-view, where he added a second victory over former three-time Bellator champion Michael Chandler to his record.
First time around, “Do Bronx” was swarmed early and had to mount an incredible comeback to finish “Iron” in round two and have the 155-pound gold wrapped around his waist.
The fifth and final frame saw the American come close to doing so after he rocked Oliveira on the feet and established a dominant position on the ground. The onslaught of strikes that followed, however, caused controversy as they largely appeared to cannon into the back of the eventual victor’s head.
And that was just the latest instance of apparent fouling, with fans highlighting fence grabs during the fight and “Do Bronx” complaining of eye pokes and glove grabbing.
During his post-fight press conference at MSG, Oliveira shed light on the multitude of fouls dealt his way at UFC 309, questioning why referee Peterson didn’t intervene a single time.
“I’m not here to criticize,” Oliveira said. “But I wanna tell you something: there were a lot of blows to the back of the head, a lot of fence grabbing. There was also some eye pokes. And I was telling the ref what was going on, I was calling for his attention and nothing would happen. I hoped that he would intervene, but nothing happened.”
This is far from the first time Chandler has been accused of deliberate fouling. He notably caught the wrath of Dustin Poirier in the aftermath of their fight after appearing to fishhook “The Diamond” during a grappling exchange.
Oliveira thankfully didn’t have to deal with that kind of foul, and he ultimately recovered from some egregious back-of-the-head blows to have his hand raised by way of a convincing unanimous decision.
UFC 309 took place tonight from Madison Square Garden in New York, and MMA News has you covered with all the results and highlights!
In the main event, Jon Jones put his heavyweight title on the line against Stipe Miocic. While in the co-main event, Charles Oliveira faced Michael Chandler in a lightweight matchup.
Make sure to catch all the UFC 309 results and highlights as they happen below!
UFC 309 Results: Main Card
Heavyweight Championship Main Event: Jon Jones def. Stipe Miocic via TKO: R3, 4.29
Lightweight Co-Main Event: Charles Oliveira def. Michael Chandler via unanimous decision (49-46×2, 49-45)
Middleweight: Bo Nickal def. Paul Craig via unanimous decision (30-27×3)
The fight between Marcin Tybura and Jhonata Diniz was stopped after the second round due to a doctor stoppage for Diniz. #UFC309pic.twitter.com/fmR6GK64f3
Charles Oliveira secured his second win over Michael Chandler in the co-main event of UFC 309, but just like their first encounter in 2021, the fight wasn’t without high drama.
“Do Bronx” dominated the first four rounds and looked one shot away from finishing the fight at multiple points, as proven by the unanimous scorecards of 49-46, 49-46, and 49-45.
Oliveira looked to grapple a lot more in this fight than in his recent outings, securing consistent takedowns and taking Chandler’s back multiple times. However, in the fifth round, “Iron” nearly turned the tide in what would have been an all-time great comeback.
The former three-time Bellator champion needed a finish, and after hurting the former champion on the feet, just like in their first fight, he was seemingly one shot away from the referee stepping in. That would have been controversial due to many of the strikes seemingly hitting the back of Oliveira’s head in just one example of fouls going unnoticed by referee Keith Peterson.
Oliveira was able to protect himself off his back once again, take time to recover, and get back to his feet. After surviving a few more strikes, he secured yet another takedown to close out the round and get his hand raised.
In one of the highlight reel moments of the night, the Madison Square Garden crowd nearly blew the roof off of the iconic venue when Chandler ended the fight by back-slamming Oliveira, who had taken his back not once but twice in another similarity to UFC 262.
In his post-fight interview, Oliveira said that he will be ready to face the winner of Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan, while Chandler called out Conor McGregor — again. Fans reacted on social media to the dominant performance from Oliveira, which ended in chaotic fashion.
Oliveira himself posted an immediate reaction to the fight on X.
I'm back…
And I apologize for your heart rate up in round 4th (LOL)
After capturing the gold in March 2023 by quickly submitting Ciryl Gane, “Bones” is next tasked with stalling Stipe Miocic’s ambitions of a return to the 265-pound mountaintop in what will mark the Ohio native’s first outing in three and a half years.
The stakes will also be high in the co-main event, which will see former lightweight champ Charles Oliveira look to secure another shot at regaining the crown by once again getting the better of Michael Chandler.
Elsewhere on the UFC 309 card, middleweight prospect Bo Nickal, rising flyweight Karine Silva, the always entertaining Mauricio Ruffy and former champion Chris Weidman have their next assignments inside the Octagon.
Ahead of the event, 25 of the 26 fighters successfully made weight, with James Llontop’s 1.2-pound miss of the 165-pound catchweight limit marking the sole indiscretion on the scale. Nevertheless, every fight is intact, and all that remains on Friday is for the athletes to face off one final time at the UFC 309 ceremonial weigh-ins!
UFC 309 takes place tomorrow night, and MMA News is here to bring you the official weigh-in results!
After staging fights in Edmonton and Las Vegas to kick off the month, the mixed martial arts leader will host its annual November numbered event from Madison Square Garden in New York City.
One title will be on the line at the top of the card, with Jon Jones defending his heavyweight belt against returning former champion Stipe Miocic n the main event. Co-headlining, meanwhile, will be a crucial lightweight rematch between ex-titleholder Charles Oliveira and the always entertaining Michael Chandler
Also on the main card will be returns for highly touted middleweight prospect Bo Nickal, surging flyweight contender Karine Silva, and electric lightweight newcomer Mauricio Ruffy.
UFC 309: Jones vs. Miocic Weigh-In Results
UFC 309 takes place Saturday, November 16 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The main card begins at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT, with the preliminary card starting at 6 PM ET/3 PM PT.
See above for a replay of the UFC 309 Weigh-In Show, and check out the full results below.
Main Card:
Heavyweight Championship Main Event: Jon Jones (237.6lbs) vs. Stipe Miocic (248.6lbs)
Lightweight Co-Main Event: Charles Oliveira (155.6lbs) vs. Michael Chandler (155.6lbs)
Women’s Flyweight: Viviane Araújo (125.6lbs) vs. Karine Silva (125.8lbs)
Middleweight: Bo Nickal (185.4lbs) vs. Paul Craig (186lbs)
Catchweight (165lbs): Mauricio Ruffy (164.4lbs) vs. James Llontop (166.2lbs)*
Preliminary Card:
Bantamweight: Jonathan Martinez (135.8lbs) vs. Marcus McGhee (135.6lbs)
Middleweight: Eryk Anders (185.6lbs) vs. Chris Weidman (186lbs)
Lightweight: Jim Miller (155.6lbs) vs. Damon Jackson (155.2lbs)
Featherweight: David Onama (155.6lbs) vs. Roberto Romero (155lbs)
Early Preliminary Card:
Heavyweight: Marcin Tybura (251lbs) vs. Jhonata Diniz (253.2lbs)
Welterweight: Mickey Gall (170.8lbs) vs. Ramiz Brahimaj (170.2lbs)
Welterweight: Bassil Hafez (171lbs) vs. Oban Elliott (170lbs)
Women’s Flyweight: Veronica Hardy (125.8lbs) vs. Eduarda Moura (125.2lbs)
*James Llontop missed the catchweight limit by 1.2 pounds
Topping the lineup will be reigning UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones, who is tasked with getting the better of former kingpin Stipe Miocic if he’s to record a first successful title defense.
Before they go to battle, the co-main event will see ex-lightweight titleholder Charles Oliveira in action for the second time this year. After failing to get past Arman Tsarukyan, “Do Bronx” must add a second win over Michael Chandler to his record if he’s to keep his name in the title conversation.
Also set to make the walk on Saturday will be the likes of elite wrestling specialist Bo Nickal, rising women’s flyweight contender Karine Silva, the entertaining Mauricio Ruffy and former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman.
Ahead of the event, you can get some help from the group of experts at MMA News by checking out their predictions for the UFC 309 main card here.
UFC 309: Jones vs. Miocic Betting Odds
Listed below are the latest betting odds for UFC 309 (as of 11/15), courtesy of DraftKings.
Main Card:
Jon Jones (-625) vs. Stipe Miocic (+455)
Charles Oliveira (-245) vs. Michael Chandler (+200)
We’re deep into UFC 309 fight week, meaning it was recently time for the fighters set to be in action on November 16 to take to the stage and answer some questions.
Setting the stage for the UFC 309 headliners will be a crucial five-round contest at 155 pounds, with former kingpin Charles Oliveira looking to repeat his 2021 victory over Michael Chandler in their highly anticipated rematch.
Also on pay-per-view will be rising middleweight prospect Bo Nickal, who gets his toughest test to date in formerly ranked submission specialist Paul Craig. That’s in addition to surging flyweight Karine Silva, who looks to keep climbing the ladder toward Valentina Shevchenko’s gold at the expense of her fellow countrywoman Viviane Araujo.
The UFC 309 main card will open with the always entertaining Mauricio Ruffy making his second walk to the Octagon. The Fighting Nerds standout will look to continue his winning start to life in the UFC against late-notice replacement James Llontop.
As is customary during major fight weeks, the athletes took to the stage on Thursday for the pre-fight press conference.
The main event will see heavyweight kingpin Jon Jones defend his title for the first time since capturing it at the expense of Ciryl Gane 20 months ago. To continue reign, “Bones” is tasked with spoiling the ongoing ambitions of returning former champ Stipe Miocic.
Co-headlining will be a former titleholder in Charles Oliveira, who will look to record his first victory of 2024 to book himself another shot at regaining the lightweight gold. In his way will be a familiar foe in Michael Chandler, whom he runs it back with after “Iron” finally moved on from a long-desired clash with Conor McGregor.
Elsewhere on the main card, Bo Nickal gets his toughest test to date opposite formerly ranked submission specialist Paul Craig, Brazilian flyweights Karine Silva and Viviane Araújo battle to advance their title aspirations, and the entertaining Mauricio Ruffy gets his second taste of Octagon action.
UFC 309: MMA News Staff Predictions
Ahead of Saturday’s UFC 309 event, Kyle Dimond, Ryan Jarrell, Thomas Albano, Pranav Pandey and Aakrit Sharma have provided their picks for the five matchups set for the main card.
Below, you can check out the current leaderboard through eight cards.
Thomas Albano (30-9)
Ryan Jarrell (25-14)
Kyle Dimond (22-17)
Pranav Pandey (13-7)
Andrew Starc (13-11)
Aakrit Sharma (9-6)
And with that, it’s time for the team’s predictions for UFC 309.
Welterweight: Mauricio Ruffy vs. James Llontop
Images: DWCS/UFC/Zuffa LLC
Kyle Dimond: Let’s be honest, this fight is here to showcase Ruffy. That performance against Mullarkey earlier this year was incredibly exciting, and I don’t see the winning streak of the Fighting Nerds ending here against an opponent that has lost his first two fights inside the Octagon. It would be a huge moment for Llontop if he does it, but as far as uphill battles go on this card, he may have the steepest one. (Prediction: Mauricio Ruffy)
Ryan Jarrell: Ruffy looked impressive in his UFC debut win over Jamie Mullarkey and kept his 100 percent finishing record in tact with his 10th stoppage win. I just don’t see a path to victory for Llontop in this fight. He is now 0-2 in the UFC, and this matchup stylistically isn’t a good one for him. Ruffy will find Llontop’s chin at some point early in the fight and close the show. (Prediction: Mauricio Ruffy)
Thomas Albano: These are two names from the 2023 season of Dana White’s Contender Series whose time in the UFC has gone in two different directions. Ruffy made his Octagon debut at UFC 301 and made an impact with a strong flying knee KO of Jamie Mullarkey. And though that’s been his only UFC fight to date, he and his team, the Fighting Nerds, have surged in popularity and recognition this year, not only putting up strong performances but also earning key victories as well. Llontop has a cool nickname (“Goku”), but he’s dropped both of his UFC fights this year, and missed weight for one of them in the process.
I’d say more about this fight, but I’ll be blunt and say what this is and what’s going to happen. The UFC is going to continue to push the Fighting Nerds (and I don’t blame them), and this fight is going to be used to give Ruffy and the team another strong, impressive outing. Meanwhile, Llontop moves to 0-3 in the UFC, causing his release (because that’s just the model of their fighter roster at this point). Ruffy is a tough-as-nails finisher, and that will occur again in this outing. (Prediction: Mauricio Ruffy)
Pranav Pandey: At this stage, it would be foolish to bet against a Fighting Nerds standout, so I’m all in on Ruffy and fully aboard the hype train. My pick isn’t just a blind leapof faith — Ruffy truly earned my confidence with his stunning knockout of Mullarkey in promotional debut at UFC 301. With a flawless 100 percent knockout rate in all his victories, the Brazilian has left no doubt that he’s a devastating force in the octagon. I’m confident he’ll dominate every facet of the fight against Llontop. Additionally, with “Goku” stepping in on just two weeks’ notice, it’s hard to see how he can match Ruffy’s intensity. (Prediction: Mauricio Ruffy)
Aakrit Sharma: I believe this to be a fairly easy fight for Ruffy, who’s fighting on a UFC PPV main card for the first time. He’s won all his fights via KO/TKO so far, and he should be able to get the same result this weekend. Ruffy’s a tall lightweight who utilizes his range well and possesses KO power. He’s only lost to Manoel Sausa, which was more or less a result of him not keeping his guard up while striking. Llontop will likely be overwhelmed by his opponent’s pace as well. I hope Ruffy performs spectacularly and gets booked against an exciting striker like Daniel Zellhuber next. (Prediction: Mauricio Ruffy)
Consensus: 5-0 Mauricio Ruffy
Women’s Flyweight: Viviane Araújo vs. Karine Silva
Images: UFC.com
Kyle Dimond: Araújo has got some good wins on her record but she does tend to lose to the contenders that are climbing the rankings and passing her by. It seems like Silva could be one of those opponents. In 11 UFC fights, Araújo has never been finished, so I think she’ll put up a good fight against Silva but won’t have enough to secure the win. (Prediction: Karine Silva)
Ryan Jarrell: Silva has 17 total finishes and hasn’t lost since 2019. Her well-rounded game will give her the advantage in this fight regardless of where it goes. Araújo is a decision machine, which means she is durable and tough to put away. I expect her to fight out of any real bad spots and survive to lose on the scorecards to Silva. (Prediction: Karine Silva)
Thomas Albano: Silva is looking to continue her rise up the UFC’s women’s flyweight division, while Araújo is looking to break her way back into the upper echelon of contenders. Silva has impressed with a 4-0 Octagon record thus far, taking care of Poliana Botelho, Ketlen Souza, and Maryna Moroz with three first-round submissions. Then, earlier this year, she bested Ariane Lipski da Silva via decision. Silva is developing well into an all-around fighter, and now she gets her toughest test.
Araújo is in the twilight of her career and has lost three of her last five, but she has continued to hold strong, such as with her win over former title challenger Jennifer Maia last year. She has faced some solid competition in her losses, including recent UFC flyweight champion Alexa Grasso and former title challenger Amanda Ribas, but there is a sense of concern with the downward momentum she’s on, going up against a woman who is on a nine-fight win streak. Silva has the youth advantage, the speed, the momentum and the skillset all on her side. (Prediction: Karine Silva)
Pranav Pandey: Silva has made an undeniable impact since her UFC debut through Dana White’s Contender Series, securing three back-to-back first-round submission victories. With a dangerous striking game and a knack for finishing fights, she’s quickly become one of the division’s hot prospects. Alternatively, I’m not entirely convinced by Araújo, mainly due to her tendency to be inconsistent in securing victories. Despite being with the UFC since 2019, she has only notched a single knockout win, although her resilience is certainly admirable.
With Silva’s youthful energy and momentum, I believe she’ll smoothly handle this matchup and come out on top. (Prediction: Karine Silva)
Aakrit Sharma: Araújo has been in the UFC for over five years, and despite never losing more than two fights in a row, she’s not been able to win against elite competition. Silva, on the other hand, is riding an impressive nine-fight win streak in her pro career. I believe Silva has all the tools to beat Araújo. She’s been relying a lot on her submission skills lately, securing seven submissions in a row before her last decision win. However, she also boasts KO power and I find it hard to see a path to victory for Araújo. (Prediction: Karine Silva)
Consensus: 5-0 Karine Silva
Middleweight: Bo Nickal vs. Paul Craig
Images: UFC/Zuffa LLC
Kyle Dimond: Many have counted out Craig in the past and been wrong, but when you look at his losses in the UFC, they usually come when he’s unable to get his opponents to the ground, either by taking them down or pulling guard. Though Nickal seems to be suggesting that he will grapple with Craig if he needs to, I think he’ll be able to keep the fight standing, where I think he holds the striking advantage. I’d love for “Bearjew” to shock the world yet again but it seems unlikely if Nickal decides to avoid the grappling altogether. (Prediction: Bo Nickal)
Ryan Jarrell: This will be the stiffest test for the young wrestling phenom to get through, but I do expect him to get the job done. Craig is dangerous on the ground and has a ton of power on the feet. I just think the unreal wrestling acumen that Nickal possesses and his eagerness to bring the fight to his opponents will be the difference. Nickal will wear the veteran down and sink in a submission at some point in round two. (Prediction: Bo Nickal)
Thomas Albano: Time for another step up in competition for Nickal, huh? The UFC is pushing him to be a star for them, and so far, he’s off to a decent start. After a pair of wins on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2022, Nickal has three straight finishes against Jamie Pickett, Val Woodburn, and Cody Brundage. But now presents an opportunity for him to take on a featured name for the first time – and it’s someone who’s a grappling specialist in the man Craig. The problem with this? Craig isn’t the same guy he was just from even just a couple of years ago.
Craig has lost four of his last five, and a pair of those defeats have come when he was bested on the ground. Now you’re going to take this soon-to-be 37-year-old fighter and put him against a young man like Nickal, who has a solid wrestling background and can transition that into strong ground and submission game, while also developing his striking. This doesn’t smell good for “Bearjew.”
This may turn out to be the most impressive that Nickal looks in the Octagon (though maybe his sub-minute finish of Woodburn will have something to say about that), and this fight may leave us wondering where Craig goes from here… (Prediction: Bo Nickal)
Pranav Pandey: On paper, this might look like a bread-and-butter victory for Nickal, but I don’t think it’ll be as easy as the oddsmakers suggest. Nickal’s fighting style is undeniably dominant, bolstered by his impressive NCAA-level wrestling, which makes him a force to be reckoned with. However, don’t sleep on “Bearjew.” Craig may not have Nickal’s wrestling pedigree, but he’s a seasoned veteran with a wealth of experience. He’s battled with some of the best in the octagon, and his submission game is a constant danger — his threats come from every angle.
I believe Craig will present Nickal with a myriad of puzzling challenges, but I have faith that the All-American wrestler will be equipped to handle them and ultimately secure the victory. (Prediction: Bo Nickal)
Aakrit Sharma: I initially had a weird feeling Craig would pull off an unexpected submission like he did against Magomed Ankalaev. However, after rewatching his performance against Brendan Allen, I’m unsure if he’ll be able to survive Nickal’s wrestling. Nickal seems to have decent power in his hands, too, giving Craig another thing to worry about. After an impressive win streak at light heavyweight, “Bearjew” hasn’t looked the same at middleweight, and Nickal is yet another rough opponent for him. (Prediction: Bo Nickal)
Consensus: 5-0 Bo Nickal
Lightweight: Charles Oliveira vs. Michael Chandler 2
Images: UFC/Zuffa LLC
Kyle Dimond: This fight is deceptively close I think because Oliveira does get hit and Chandler can finish anyone. That being said, the Brazilian’s recent performances don’t give me the impression that he’s had some kind of steep decline from his championship run. Losing to Islam Makhachev and having a close fight with Arman Tsarukyan are not results that come with red flags. I think Oliveira has the edge, partly because of his strength of schedule, but I am expecting some more wild moments between these two. Ultimately, I just think “Do Bronx” is better right now. (Prediction: Charles Oliveira)
Ryan Jarrell: Chandler looks amazing heading into this fight. He has had a lot of time to work on his body and looks to be in the best shape of his career. He also has a massive chip on his shoulder from the fallout of the elusive Conor McGregor fight that never happened. Chandler is always dangerous and has the ability to finish anyone in the division. But Oliveira is a unique matchup for the heavy-handed striker.
If Chandler wins, I expect it to be an early finish from some big bombs that land. But the safe bet is to lean “Do Bronx” to survive an early onslaught and submit “Iron” Mike. (Prediction: Charles Oliveira)
Thomas Albano: So, at this point, the future of McGregor in the Octagon looks to be up in smoke (at least in my eyes it’s been). Sorry to you, Chandler, for wasting your time chasing him. As an apology gift, you now get an opportunity at revenge against the man you fell just short against at UFC 262 – when you were mere seconds away from scoring a finish and the UFC lightweight title.
This will be Chandler’s first fight since losing to Dustin Poirier in the same venue two years earlier. Oliveira, meanwhile, missed out on a rematch with Makhachev for the UFC lightweight title and then dropped a decision to Tsarukyan at UFC 300. As mentioned, Oliveira and Chandler fought a really competitive outing at UFC 262, with both men having their moments before “Do Bronx” pulled off a comeback, second-round finish to capture the then-vacant championship.
Both of these men are in must-win situations in their own right, with Chandler maybe much more so. He was already in a must-win from the perspective that if he lost, maybe – despite previous claims from UFC CEO Dana White – the fight with McGregor goes up in smoke (if it isn’t already). But now, this is an all-or-nothing situation. If he wins, he gets his revenge and is right back into the lightweight title picture with a potential No. 1 contender’s fight next. A loss? At his age, and those opportunities gone, would there be anywhere for him to go? And unfortunately for Chandler, after this long layoff, and now going against a different (albeit familiar) opponent than the one he’s trained for – and a hungry former champion at that, this doesn’t look great. Second verse, same as the first. (Prediction: Charles Oliveira)
Pranav Pandey: In my opinion, this will be an absolute fireworks show! Honestly, I can’t see this one going the distance — much like their thrilling title fight at UFC 262. That being said, “Iron” is a formidable force in the early moments of a fight, and his confidence is only bolstered by his ability to drop Oliveira in their previous encounter. On the other hand, “Do Bronx” is also no slouch, whether on the feet or on the canvas. His striking has evolved, and if the fight hits the mat, his submission game is always a looming threat.
Should Oliveira successfully navigate Chandler’s early onslaught or endure the storm, there’s no doubt in my mind that he’ll find a way to finish him. No disrespect to Chandler, but when his early aggression doesn’t pay off, he often freezes up like a deer in headlights. As the rounds go on, his mistakes become more glaring, and those costly errors have repeatedly snatched victory from his grasp. (Prediction: Charles Oliveira)
Aakrit Sharma: Chandler risked a lot by waiting for McGregor for such a long time, but considering most of his fights are outright brawls, I believe spending over two years away from the Octagon will benefit “Iron.” Him being 38 should not be a factor, and now that he’s committed to winning the UFC lightweight championship, he might fight in a more calculated manner than before.
Oliveira, meanwhile, didn’t hurt his brand despite losing at UFC 300, and he’s still one of the most dangerous lightweights out there. However, I think Chandler will be way too powerful for the Brazilian and should be able to get out of any submissions. “Iron” just needs to avoid adrenaline-sponsored mistakes in this fight, as Oliveira can capitalize on them better than almost anyone.
I highly doubt this fight will go the distance. Even though “Do Bronx” emerged victorious the last time, I feel Chandler will finally have a more careful approach like Justin Gaethje and Francis Ngannou adapted toward the latter parts of their careers. (Prediction: Michael Chandler)
Consensus: 4-1 Charles Oliveira
UFC Heavyweight Title: Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic
Images: UFC.com
Kyle Dimond: I really want this fight to be competitive, for Miocic to turn back the clock and really test Jones at heavyweight. Unfortunately, like the vast majority, I struggle to overlook the facts in this one regardless of how good Miocic has been in the past. I will be delighted if it doesn’t go the way that most expect it to, and I do think it’s going to surprise people early on. But I just think the timing of this fight tips the scale massively in Jones’ direction, especially as the fight goes on. (Prediction: Jon Jones)
Ryan Jarrell: I would love to pick Miocic to beat Jones and reclaim the heavyweight throne. But I just don’t see it happening at this point of his career. The former champ is much older now and hasn’t been fighting consistently at all. It’s been three years since Miocic last fought and he didn’t look very good in that fight.
I know there are a lot of people who don’t like Jones for a variety of reasons, but you cannot deny his greatness inside of the Octagon. He is smart to ask for this fight now and not risk losing to Miocic in his prime. At some point, Jones will clip the former champ and end the fight with some vicious strikes. (Prediction: Jon Jones)
Thomas Albano: It’s the fight no one asked for, nobody wants to see, a year-plus removed from when it should have happened, and a whole lot of other slogans and phrases you can attach onto this fight. As a hot take, I don’t mind this main event. It’s perhaps the greatest fighter this sport has ever seen versus the man who ruled over the heavyweight division for the better part of 2016-2020 – the GOAT of the UFC’s heavyweight division. That kind of fight and its stakes speak for itself. I know plenty of people are unhappy with it because of where Tom Aspinall (and Alex Pereira) falls into the picture – but I consider that a separate issue I’ll go into later.
One thing I will give to the detractors – both guys have fought a combined one time (one time) since Miocic lost the heavyweight championship to Francis Ngannou in March 2021. Miocic waited on the sidelines for another title fight to come his way, accepting nothing less (as he did when the Daniel Cormier vs. Brock Lesnar rumors came and went in 2018-19). It took years, but he got his wish. Jones, meanwhile, vacated the light heavyweight title for the final time (we think) in 2020, with the UFC finally giving into his wishes to move up to heavyweight. He took years off to build his body and train correctly and then dominated Ciryl Gane for the championship. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the fight everyone wanted since Ngannou and the UFC parted ways at the start of 2023. Then this fight got delayed after Jones’ torn pec, paving the way for Aspinall to enter the title picture.
Let’s start with the fight itself. Jones has fought plenty of specialists before (be it wrestling, grappling, submissions, etc.). Miocic definitely has KO power in his own right, but Jones has managed to dominate, finish, or sometimes survive (barely) them all since he’s made his UFC debut. Sure, he has that one controversial DQ loss, but those 12-6 elbows are legal now! And wouldn’t it be something if those elbows came out to play in this fight? My point being – Miocic has fought no one before Jones that’s still on the current, active UFC roster. He’s fought no one other than Ngannou or Cormier since 2018. He hasn’t fought since his loss to Ngannou. We’ve seen fighters take long breaks and come out victorious (see GSP, Julianna Peña, and Jones himself), but I just don’t know if Miocic can do that with the limited competition he’s faced over recent years, especially when going up against one of the sport’s greatest fighters ever. Miocic loses this fight easily (I give it about 10 minutes at most) and lays his gloves down.
…And so, too, does Jones. He has teased that this would be his last fight, and it’s honestly a great storybook ending. He finally gets to compete in his birthplace of New York, in the World’s Most Famous Arena, and go out as a heavyweight champion. The problem? How is that fair to Tom Aspinall? As an interim champion, he’s earned the right to try and unify the belt against whoever holds the gold. Sure, he can just be promoted to heavyweight champion, but that feels rather anti-climactic. Jones is even teasing that he’d rather fight light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira. Don’t get me wrong, that’s a legendary fight, but Aspinall is feeling like a side piece in all of this. And I feel bad for him. (Prediction: Jon Jones)
Pranav Pandey: I believe this bout goes beyond the UFC heavyweight title. To me, it’s a showdown between two of the sport’s most legendary figures, and I couldn’t be more hyped for it. Both fighters are entering the Octagon after extended layoffs, with Miocic especially nearing the twilight of his illustrious career. However, this doesn’t mean we should expect either of them to show signs of slowing down.
“Bones”, in particular, has consistently demonstrated the full spectrum of his diverse skillset, proving time and again why he remains one of the most dangerous and well-rounded mixed martial artists the sport has ever seen. Meanwhile, Miocic is arguably the greatest heavyweight to ever step into the UFC Octagon. His fists pack devastating power, a potential trump card for Jones if he’s not careful. On top of that, the former champion possesses remarkable takedown defense, a crucial asset that will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in this high-stakes battle.
When it comes to my prediction, my heart leans toward Miocic, but my mind can’t help but favor Jones. While I believe Miocic will undoubtedly push Jones to the brink and give him one of his toughest challenges, “Bones” possesses a vast array of tools that, in my opinion, just edge him ahead. (Prediction: Jon Jones)
Aakrit Sharma: Unfortunately, many people don’t realize how talented Miocic is. Jones might be one of the best mixed martial artists of all time, but the heavyweight division is a completely new puzzle to solve. The quick win over Ciryl Gane helped “Bones” become the UFC heavyweight kingpin, but he was barely tested and I wouldn’t be shocked if he’s surprised by Miocic’s athleticism and fight IQ.
I don’t expect Jones to shut out Miocic entirely. This should be a competitive fight as Miocic is one of the most creative heavyweight strikers ever and he boasts powerful grappling too. The only reason I’m picking Jones is because Miocic is way past his prime and he’s likely just fighting for a huge payday. (Prediction: Jon Jones)
Consensus: 5-0 Jon Jones
That’ll do it for our UFC 309 staff picks! What do you think? Do your picks look similar? Let us know in the comments section! Also, you can check out the full UFC 309 card below.
Main Card:
Heavyweight Championship Main Event: Jon Jones (C) vs. Stipe Miocic
Lightweight Co-Main Event: Charles Oliveira vs. Michael Chandler
Women’s Flyweight: Viviane Araújo vs. Karine Silva
Middleweight: Bo Nickal vs. Paul Craig
Lightweight: Mauricio Ruffy vs. James Llontop
Preliminary Card:
Bantamweight: Jonathan Martinez vs. Marcus McGhee
Middleweight: Eryk Anders vs. Chris Weidman
Lightweight: Jim Miller vs. Damon Jackson
Featherweight: David Onama vs. Roberto Romero
Early Preliminary Card:
Heavyweight: Marcin Tybura vs. Jhonata Diniz
Welterweight: Mickey Gall vs. Ramiz Brahimaj
Welterweight: Bassil Hafez vs. Oban Elliott
Women’s Flyweight: Veronica Hardy vs. Eduarda Moura
Be sure to keep it right here on MMANews.com for all the results, highlights, and updates on UFC 309!
Michael Chandler is not only looking to get his hand raised this Saturday but also aiming for a title shot.
Chandler, who has gone 1-3 in his last four fights, will step back into the cage at UFC 309, a pay-per-view event held at Madison Square Garden, where he faces Charles Oliveira.
Currently, UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev is expected to defend his title against Arman Tsarukyan in early 2025, although the UFC has yet to officially confirm the matchup.
Chandler believes he’s proven himself within the UFC, taking on some of the toughest fighters the promotion has to offer. He’s confident that come Sunday morning, he will be seen as the third-highest-ranked fighter in the lightweight division.
“I obviously knocked out Dan Hooker, but now he’s ranked ahead of me because of his recent resurgence,” Chandler said at UFC 309 media day. “This is the most violent and exciting division in the UFC, and I’m so blessed to be a part of it. On Saturday night, I’ll be very blessed to be the highest-ranked guy in it — not named Arman Tsarukyan or Islam Makhachev — and solidify myself as the No. 1 contender.”
Chandler and Oliveira first fought in May 2021 for the vacant UFC lightweight title. This is where Oliveira stopped Chandler in the second round.
Former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira expects to come up against the same Michael Chandler that he did back in 2021 this weekend.
Oliveira is gearing up for his second assignment of the year, as he looks to immediately bounce back from his narrow split decision setback opposite Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300 this past April.
To do so, “Do Bronx” is tasked with repeating a feat he achieved back in May 2021 — beat Chandler.
Ahead of the pair’s second clash at UFC 309, Chandler has waxed lyrical about his evolution as a fighter since being the victim of a come-from-behind knockout against the Brazilian.
Oliveira, though, isn’t convinced.
During a recent fight week interview with ESPN MMA, Oliveira reacted to Chandler’s claims regarding his improvements as a competitor since their first showdown three and a half years ago.
“Do Bronx” was firm in stating that Chandler doesn’t have it in him to change his aggressive, forward-pressing style. With that in mind, he’s anticipating a similar opening frame burst from the 38-year-old.
“All you have to do is watch his fights, that’s who he is. He’s always aggressive, he’s always going to go forward. He can’t help but be himself,” Oliveira said. “It’s like saying, ‘Charles is going to back down, or walk backwards.’ I am never, I am going to always push forward. That’s who (Chandler) is always going to be. Always very explosive, always very aggressive, a guy who’s got a very strong first round.”
At UFC 262, Chandler’s fast start almost paid off. He had Oliveira badly hurt and appeared just seconds away from closing the show on more than one occasion.
But after “Do Bronx” survived to hear the first horn, a perfectly timed left hook early in the second round caught Chandler and set up the shock finish — something the former champ will now hope to repeat in New York City this Saturday night.
Michael Chandler hasn’t fought in two years, but he’s just days away from making his long-awaited return to the Octagon. After going 1-3 in his last four fights and missing out on a high-profile bout with Conor McGregor, Chandler will step back into the cage this Saturday at the UFC 309 pay-per-view event at Madison Square Garden.
Unfortunately, Chandler faces more than just the top champion this weekend; he’ll also need to break his losing streak at the world’s most famous arena. Chandler has fought—and lost—twice at Madison Square Garden. The first loss came at UFC 268 in November 2021, where he earned Fight of the Night honors despite a decision loss to Justin Gaethje. In his most recent bout there, he was submitted by Dustin Poirier at UFC 281 in November 2022.
Before joining the UFC, Chandler also lost at Madison Square Garden to Brent Primus during his Bellator career. In a recent interview with Ariel Helwani, Chandler reflected on his winless record at the storied venue.
“I’m 0-3 at MSG,” Chandler said. “I actually just ran into a guy who’s been to all three of my fights there, and he was like, ‘Hey dude, we gotta break the MSG curse.’ But I also look at this as another layer where I’m like, of course, this is how it’s supposed to be: I’m fighting the guy who already beat me, who shattered my dreams, at the arena that’s done the same every single time. I’ve never won there, and now it’s time to right that wrong.”
When asked if he had any regrets about fighting at MSG, Chandler replied, “No, not even a little bit. I asked for this card. We wanted to fight in October, but I needed to do a serious, legit weight cut. I’d been preparing my mind and body for 170 lbs for the last year and a half, and I only had 10 weeks to get down to 155 for October. It wasn’t going to happen; it was too soon, so I wanted MSG, and we got it.”
Getting beaten by Charles Oliveira back in 2022 hasn’t stopped Michael Chandler from reiterating his belief that there’s “quit” in his UFC 309 opponent.
Also set to make the walk at Madison Square Garden is lightweight contender Chandler, who hasn’t competed since a defeat to Dustin Poirier at the venue two years ago. That’s been largely down to a failed wait to fight Conor McGregor, but with that now in the past, “Iron” has his sights on a familiar foe.
Having predicted that he’d break Oliveira in the lead-up, the American expressed shock at his ability to survive a first round onslaught, explaining in the aftermath that he “truly believed he was going to quit.”
Despite being proven wrong, though, Chandler is sharing a similar theory days out from UFC 309…
During an appearance on Monday’s episode of The Ariel Helwani Show on Uncrowned, Chandler was asked whether he’s entering the Nov. 16 event with the same thoughts about Oliveira’s ability to handle animosity inside the cage.
Overcoming near-finishes against him, Justin Gaethje, and Dustin Poirier in recent years evidently wasn’t enough to rid the “quit” narrative entirely for the ex-lightweight kingpin.
“I do (still believe that),” Chandler said. “I’m not calling him a quitter, but I do know I didn’t put myself in the 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 will hope to prove as much this time around, as he looks to stake his claim for a second shot at adding UFC gold to his résumé in mixed martial arts.
Should he accomplish that feat, fans will witness “Iron” having his hand raised for the first time since a brutal front-kick knockout of Tony Ferguson in 2022.
The UFC appears to be continuing its trend of designing tailored fight kits for its top athletes, with Stipe Miocic, Charles Oliveira, and Michael Chandler next in line to enjoy this stylish touch for their highly anticipated matchups at UFC 309.
The penultimate UFC pay-per-view event of the year is set to electrify Madison Square Garden in New York City this weekend. In the headliner, Miocic will challenge reigning UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones, while the co-main event of UFC 309 features a high-stakes, five-round rematch between Charles Oliveira and Michael Chandler.
As Miocic gears up for his first Octagon appearance in over there years, the former longtime heavyweight champion will debut custom fight shorts from Venum, the UFC’s official fight kit provider. Designed to honor his Croatian heritage, Miocic’s shorts showcase a checkered pattern on one side and the Croatian coat of arms on the other, drawing inspiration directly from Croatia’s flag.
The 42-year-old Ohio native last competed at UFC 260 in March 2021, where he succumbed to a second-round knockout by Francis Ngannou, forfeiting his heavyweight title in the process.
Meanwhile, Oliveira, coming off a split decision loss to Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300 in April, will step into the Octagon wearing abstract, multicolored shorts with his moniker, “Do Bronx,” emblazoned on one side. The inspiration behind this striking design remains unknown.
On the flip side, Chandler will don black shorts accented with gray straps and stars at UFC 309, a tribute to the American flag. “Iron” is making his long-awaited return after a two-year hiatus, following his submission loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 281 in November 2022.
The custom shorts for the fighters featured at UFC 309 add to the already revealed gear for “Bones,” which showcases two fierce red lions along with Philippians 4:13, the Bible verse Jones has inked on his chest.
Under the spotlight in this edition is the headliner between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic and the co-main event between Charles Oliveira and Michael Chandler.
Saturday’s UFC 309 lineup is topped by a championship clash, with heavyweight kingpin Jones (27-1, 1 NC) looking to add a first successful defense to his reign, which got underway with a memorable submission victory over Ciryl Gane at UFC 285 in March 2023.
If “Bones” is to continue his rule atop the 265-pound mountain, he must record a victory over Miocic (20-4). The former two-time titleholder is returning from a lengthy layoff for his opportunity to regain the gold, having most recently been unseated in brutal fashion by Francis Ngannou back in 2021.
Before those two collide in the main event at New York City’s iconic Madison Square Garden, the stakes will also be high for a crucial five-round lightweight clash.
After a toe injury resulted in Conor McGregor’s withdrawal from UFC 303 this past June, Chandler (23-8) finally heeded the calls of those advising him to move on from the Irishman.
Michael Chandler is looking sharp as he trains ahead of his expected return at UFC 309 in just six days, where he will face UFC Lightweight Champion Charles Oliveira for the second time.
For Chandler, this fight represents a huge opportunity to claim the UFC championship—possibly his last chance—after pivoting from a potential mega-fight with Conor McGregor to this title bout against his old rival. In his last five fights, Chandler is 2-3, with his most recent victory coming by way of a knockout against Tony Ferguson at UFC 274 in May 2022, which earned him Performance of the Night honors. Later that year, he was awarded Fight of the Night after a hard-fought bout with Dustin Poirier at UFC 281, where he ultimately lost by submission.
Chandler recently shared a clip of his training, where he looks sharper than ever. With peak conditioning and a determined mindset, Chandler is ready to pursue his goal of holding the UFC lightweight title in less than a week. He captioned the post, “Keep it simple. Keep it devastating. #ufc309 @henrihooft.”
For Chandler, he has a tall task in front of him, as oddsmakers have him as a sizeable underdog. He is a +200 dog against the worthy champion at -250.
Michael Chandler is out for revenge at UFC 309 when he faces Charles Oliveira in the co-main event at Madison Square Garden. The two men first met back at UFC 262 where only one of two storybook moments could happen.
Either the former Bellator star was going to finally make his way into the UFC and in two fights, become the lightweight champion or “Do Bronx” would finally win the big one after years of being on the roster. Chandler is happy to admit that it was Oliveira’s night back in 2021 where his dream of winning the gold was temporarily shattered.
Though he didn’t get the Conor McGregor fight that he waited so long for, this opportunity to avenge his loss to the former champion and get himself back in the title picture was the kind of chance that he knew he has to grab with both hands. In a recent interview with CBS Sports’ Shakiel Mahjouri, Chandler spoke about what has changed since his first encounter with Oliveira.
He believes that for all of the experience that he accumulated outside of the UFC, he’s a far different competitor now compared to the one that was making just his second appearance inside the Octagon.
“I was extremely green, extremely early at that point when I fought Charles and yes, I had been fighting for years, I was 34-years old, had 20-something fights but at that point in time, I had only competed in the Octagon for a little over two minutes. I had just beaten Dan Hooker, knocked him out in two and a half minutes… I was inexperienced. Charles, I think a star was born that night. That was really the night, whenever Charles became champion, and then he went on the run and he beat Gaethje, he beat Poirier, and he really became the champion and really solidified himself.”
Michael Chandler has been out of action for almost two years, having last fought Dustin Poirier in November 2022. Outside of TUF 31, he’s spent most of this time waiting for Conor McGregor, but after the upheaval around UFC 303, he finally moved on to fight Charles Oliveira at UFC 309.
Following his razor-close split decision loss to Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300, Oliveira is currently the #2 ranked UFC lightweight in the world. So, defeating him should put Chandler in line for a title shot.
Chandler fought frequently in the UFC since his debut against Dan Hooker. It appears he wants to compensate for the two-year hiatus by fighting as many high-profile names as possible before 2025.
Chandler recently appeared on the SHAK MMA YouTube channel for an interview. When asked if he would fight McGregor or Makhachev after a win over Oliveira, “Iron” stated that getting the UFC lightweight title is his priority. He also feels the need to settle the rivalry with “The Notorious” which began with TUF 31.
“The title is the number one goal but there is some unfinished business. Chandler vs. McGregor TUF 31, it needs, that chapter needs to close to some point. Conor wants that fight. He’s talked about it openly in public, in interviews. Obviously, I want that fight. I’m not focused on it right now. I’m focused on Charles, but it’ll be interesting you know. Because you also got to remember, Islam is fighting probably in January, could be late January. He’s gonna go into Ramadan in February, all of March, won’t be able to go till training camp, won’t be able to fight till June July. I’m not trying to wait till June or July. So, Conor could sneak in there, we could see Chandler vs. Oliveira, Chandler vs. Conor, Chandler vs. Islam, Chandler vs. Max. The craziest four or five fight-run in a 12-month period that anyone’s ever seen.”
Besides Makhachev and McGregor, “Iron” is also interested in fighting former UFC featherweight champion and the reigning BMF champion Max Holloway in 2025. Fans have been eagerly waiting to see this fight too, as both fighters boast an aggressive, fearless, and striking-heavy fighting style.
It’ll be interesting to see how many superfights Chandler can be a part of before the end of 2025. For now, he needs to focus on beating Oliveira, who already holds a TKO win over him.
