[autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag] opted to stop waiting for [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag] to return and accepted a rematch with former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira, who beat him by second-round knockout in their first meeting in a vacant title bout at UFC 262 in May 2021.
Charles Oliveira vs. Michael Chandler preview
In the wake of Khabib Nurmagomedov’s retirement and vacancy of the 155-pound belt in late 2020, the promotion put together a vacant title bout between Oliveira and Chandler to determine a new champion. It was a back-and-forth first round, but then the Brazilian came out early in Round 2 and landed big shots en route to the finish by strikes.
Oliveira would go to run the division for several fights before Islam Makhachev took the reigns, and is looking to get back in the title mix by beating Chandler again to rebound from his UFC 300 loss to Arman Tsarukyan.
Chandler, meanwhile, will return to the venue he most recently competed in – a submission loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 281 – more than two years after he last fought. The former three-time Bellator champion patiently waited for McGregor through a coaching stint on “The Ultimate Fighter” reality series and a canceled booking at UFC 303 in July, but decided he’d had enough and took the rematch with Oliveira instead.
Charles Oliveira vs. Michael Chandler odds
DraftKings released the opening odds for the rematch, in which Oliveira is a -218 betting favorite over Chandler, who is a +180 underdog.
How to watch Charles Oliveira vs. Michael Chandler at UFC 309
- When: November 16
- Where: Madison Square Garden, New York
- Broadcast/streaming: ESPN+ pay-per-view
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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 309.