UFC star Michael Chandler’s toughness can’t be underestimated after his ‘Fight of the Year’ candidate with Charles Oliveira at UFC 309.
Michael Chandler suffered a leg injury just minutes into his fight with Charles Oliveira in the UFC 309 co-main event. Despite several near-finishes throughout the fight, Chandler made it the full distance, nearly pulling a 180-degree rally in the final minutes.
Chandler remains a top star despite the loss to Oliveira, which moved him to 2-4 in his promotional tenure after a long run in Bellator. Seconds after the official decision was read in Oliveira’s favor, Chandler remained fiery in his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan and remastered his pursuit of Conor McGregor.
Injuries are common in mixed martial arts, and the physical toll that fighters undergo during their careers is a repetitive talking point. For Chandler, he sustained some of the worst damage of his career in the rematch with Oliveira, as he showed off in a recent Instagram story post.
Michael Chandler shows off graphic leg scars after Charles Oliveira rematch
As you can see below, Chandler is in full recovery mode as he plots his expected return to the Octagon in 2025. His left leg has multiple scars and points of swelling, including two dent-like marks on his leg that looked like something you’d see after a car accident.
The extent of the damage to Chandler’s left leg is uncertain, as of this writing, but he’s expected to miss at least a few months before returning to competition. The former Bellator lightweight champion remains in pursuit of a UFC belt, despite his path becoming more complicated following his latest defeat.
Chandler suffered similar damage in his infamous clash with Justin Gaethje at UFC 268. He lost the fight by unanimous decision in a fight where both he and Gaethje left the Octagon battered and bloodied after their three-round war.
Michael Chandler called for Conor McGregor re-booking after UFC 309
Before the UFC 309 loss to Oliveira, Chandler waited two years for McGregor to return to the Octagon after calling him out at UFC 281. He and McGregor coached opposite each other on The Ultimate Fighter 31 and were supposed to fight at UFC 303 before McGregor withdrew on weeks’ notice with a toe injury.
The Chandler vs. McGregor fight could potentially take place in 2025, depending on McGregor’s out-of-competition issues and when he’ll resume training full-time. UFC CEO Dana White recently hinted at McGregor returning to the cage in late 2025, but this is the latest in several delays to the Irish star’s anticipated comeback.
Chandler hasn’t earned a UFC win since knocking out Tony Ferguson at UFC 274 with a front-kick. After winning his UFC debut against Dan Hooker, he’s suffered recent defeats to Dustin Poirier and Gaethje.
It’s uncertain when Chandler will return to the Octagon as he continues to recover from his ailments. When he does, fans can expect Chandler to get booked against another big name, potentially his long-awaited adversary.