Islam Makhachev is Willing to Fight Michael Chandler For a Vacant UFC Lightweight Title

Islam Makhachev is Willing to Fight Michael Chandler For a Vacant UFC Lightweight Title

Abdullah Ouazri|
July 07, 2022|
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Michael Chandler took to Instagram to call out Islam Makhachev to fight him for the vacant UFC Lightweight belt.

Hey, Charles (Oliveira), do your thing bro. Wait till Conor (McGregor) comes back, you deserve it. You’re on a couple fight win streak, smashing through everybody. Why don’t you sit out? Wait for Conor to come back. I’ll keep the division warm, I’ll keep the division going. I’ll fight Islam (Makhachev) next; I’ll fight Islam for the title.
- Michael Chandler via Instagram

Islam Makhachev responded in a tweet, calling Chandler easy money.

"Easy money... Title is the goal, no matter who. Let's go." - Islam Makhachev to Michael Chandler via Twitter

The Lightweight title became vacant when former undisputed champion Charles Oliveira missed weight by 0.5 lbs in his last fight against Justin Gaethje. He would go on to win the fight by submission in the first round but was stripped of the belt for failing to make weight.

He has since set his eyes on a money fight against Conor McGregor, first calling him out in his post-fight interview at UFC 274 after defeating Gaethje.

Islam Makhachev has stayed busy during this time, amassing a 10-fight win streak. He finished his last 4 opponents, most recently Bobby Green by TKO in the first round. He has been asking for a title shot against Charles Oliveira, but is now answering the call of Michael Chandler.

Chandler has had a high-intensity UFC career since signing with the promotion in 2020 and making his debut in agains Dan Hooker in January of 2021 at UFC 257, finishing him by TKO in the first round. He most recently finished Tony Ferguson in what many consider to be KO of the year, setting him up for another potential title shot.

The UFC is rumored to make its return to Abu Dhabi in October, and perhaps a title fight against Islam Makhachev is a possibility.

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