Chandler started off by naming his top priority and his preferred opponent.
“I think with Dustin Poirier’s performance, I think with my performance, I think both of those warrant for us to fight for the title next,” Chandler said.
“Dustin Poirier needs to be one half of that world title conversation, obviously. He’s earned it.”
However, Chandler is well aware that he might not get that title shot next. Especially against Poirier, who has said he doesn’t think Chandler deserves a fight with him after a victory over Hooker, whom Poirier defeated last July.
If Chandler does not get the first fight on his wish list, he already knows who would be next if it were up to him.
Image via @ufc on Instagram (photographer not listed)
Charles Oliveira deserves a crack at the UFC lightweight title, rather than a fight with Justin Gaethje, according to his manager Diego Lima.
Oliveira is currently on an impressive, eight-fight win-streak, highlighted by triumphs over the likes of Kevin Lee and Tony Ferguson. In the wake of his win over Ferguson, UFC President Dana White suggested he’s likely to be matched up with Justin Gaethje, who will be looking to rebound from a submission loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Lima, however, feels Oliveira deserves a crack at the lightweight title that will likely soon be vacated by the retiring champion Nurmagomedov. Ideally, he’d like to see Oliveira fight the winner of the upcoming UFC 257 fight between Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier for that prize.
Charles Oliveira manager: Next fight ‘has to be for the belt’ against Dustin Poirier-Conor McGregor winner, not Justin Gaethje
Share this story
Jason Da Silva-USA TODAY Sports
Charles Oliveira was confident that a one-sided win over Tony Ferguson would lead to a shot at the UFC lightweight belt, but Dana White’s recent comment suggesting a fight between “do Bronx” and Justin Gaethje could happen indicates that the company might have other plans for the Brazilian.
Oliveira’s team, however, is still hoping that the submission ace will compete for gold next.
“I honestly think he deserves to go straight for the belt,” Oliveira’s manager and coach Diego Lima said in an interview with MMA Fighting. “He’s coming off eight wins in a row, beat Kevin Lee in great fashion and then dominated Ferguson all around and Ferguson is one of the best of the division, won 12 straight before losing a title fight so I think Charles is ready and has enough credibility to fight for