UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler has a clear view on how his division's expected next title fight will play out.
Chandler is currently gearing up for his long-awaited return to action at Madison Square Garden next month. Two years on from a loss to Dustin Poirier at the venue, "Iron" will return to New York City to run it back with Charles Oliveira.
Should he achieve redemption for his 2021 defeat to "Do Bronx," Chandler's eyes will seemingly turn to the next assignment for champion Islam Makhachev, who is expected to put his 155-pound gold on the line in a rematch with Arman Tsarukyan.
During an appearance on Uncrowned's The Ariel Helwani Show this week, Chandler looked ahead to that contest and provided a surprisingly one-sided prediction.
The former three-time Bellator champion acknowledged that Tsarukyan gave Makhachev a run for their money when they shared the cage in Moscow five years ago. But when it comes to their high-stakes second dance, Chandler doesn't think the Russian-Armenian will be competitive.
I fancy Islam (in that fight)," Chandler said. "I'll be sitting there cageside seeing who my next opponent is. I think Islam is just — he has evolved a lot over the last couple of fights. He's going to get the takedown. If he does get the takedown, I think he can get the submission. And obviously, he showed against Poirier that he's something to be reckoned with on the feet these days.
So I think Islam gets the job done, and I don't think it's that close," Chandler continued. "I'm not necessarily saying he dominates Arman, but I do think he takes this one pretty handily. ... I think Islam has come a long way. ... I don't think it will be as close as the last one was.
While Chandler would prefer to be the one who unseats Makhachev in 2025, should Tsarukyan achieve the feat instead, ready-made animosity certainly exists to set up a future clash.
"Iron" and "Akhalkalakets" have long gone back and forth on social media, with Tsarukyan most recently mocking the #6-ranked contender following his decision to finally move on from the long-delayed Conor McGregor fight.
Loading tweet...