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.
While all eyes are on Jon Jones and his long-awaited first title defense this weekend, he's not the only notable name returning to action following a lengthy layoff.
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.
The former Bellator champion will co-headline Saturday's UFC 309 pay-per-view in a rematch with Oliveira. When the pair first collided back in May 2021, "Do Bronx" mounted a memorable comeback to stop Chandler with strikes early in round two.
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.
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