Midnight Mania: Chandler Shifts From McGregor Mode, Calls Out ‘Gamebred’

Welcome to Midnight Mania!

Michael Chandler is still a UFC star, but “Iron” needs a win.

The former Bellator Lightweight kingpin has done a lot of entertaining inside the Octagon, but he’s lost two in a row after getting battered by Charles Oliveira at UFC 309. He also spent the better part of two years waiting for Conor McGregor to return to action as his potential opponent to approximately zero payoff, leaving Chandler in serious need of some momentum.

Fortunately, Chandler may have just stumbled onto the perfect rebound opponent. While responding to questions from fans on social media, Chandler answered the call when asked to challenge Jorge Masvidal, and “Gamebred” responded positively. Masvidal is down to scrap, provided the fight takes place at the April UFC event targeted for Miami, Florida.

It’s a fight that makes a lot of sense. Both Chandler and the freshly unretired Masvidal are popular names, but neither is at the height of their powers heading into 2025. Masvidal has lost four in a row (five if we count his controversial boxing match versus Nate Diaz), so at least somebody would walk away in the win column.

As for the Miami condition, Chandler likely needs some time to recover from all the “Do Bronx” damage, so an April return seems appropriate. Plus, he trains in Florida as well, so it would be something of a home game for each man.

Book it?

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— Timothy Wheaton MMA (@TimWheatonMMA) December 3, 2024