Jakarta, CNN Indonesia —
After successfully conquering Michael Chandler in UFC 268, Justin Gaethje directly challenged the winner Charles Oliveira vs Dustin Poirier for the lightweight world title.
Oliveira vs Poirier duel will be held on 12 December.
“Hopefully I will fight the winner between Oliveira in Brazil or Poirier in Louisiana. I don’t care who wins,” Gaethje was quoted as saying by MMA Fighting.
Gaethje has just defeated Michael Chandler through a unanimous decision at UFC 268 at Madison Square Garden, New York, United States, Sunday (7/11).
The Gaethje vs Chandler fight deserves credit. The two of them demonstrated an attacking fight until the end of the third round.
In the first round, Chandler had the best moment when a knee kick hit Gaethje in the chest and knocked the opponent off balance.
Chandler attempted to capitalize on the momentum by bombarding Gaethje with combined attacks. However, Gaethje managed to escape the pressure and was able to release a counter blow.
Gaethje took the lead in the second round. A right hook to the chin made Chandler fall and was immediately hit with a blow. However, Chandler was still able to survive by inviting Gaethje to fight at the bottom.
The duel was even more intense in the third round. Both fighters tried their best to KO the opponent by trading blows.
Chandler tried to provoke by opening defenses, but several of Gaethje’s punches actually landed on his face until his temples and nose were bleeding.
This intense duel was stopped until the end of the third round which Gaethje won through an absolute result, 29-28, 29-28, and 30-27.
“I know exactly who the bastard is [Chandler] that. He is a fighter. We are living in the wrong moment. Chandler and I should have fought to the death at the Coliseum,” Gaethje said.
This was Gaethje’s first victory after losing to Khabib Nurmagomedov in November 2020. While Chandler suffered consecutive defeats after previously losing to Oliveira in the race for the lightweight world title.
(jun/jun)
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