The former UFC Lightweight title challenger and number 2nd ranked Lightweight fighter, Justin Gaethje secured a big win against the former Bellator Lightweight champion, Michael Chandler in the opening fight of UFC 268’s main card.
Gaethje outlasted Chandler for three rounds and in the end, won the fight by unanimous decision of the judges. This loss came as Michael Chandler’s second straight loss in UFC and now he is 1-2 in UFC. Gaethje also had the same figures at the start of his UFC career and he believes Chandler is much far away from being over.
Talking about Chandler’s current position in his latest interview with MMA Junkie, Justin Gaethje says, “When you go through stuff like this, you can’t look for a source of information, the only source of information is yourself, and if you’re looking for outside information, like – you’re done. There’s no coming back. So no, he didn’t ask me (advice) because he’s a warrior, and he’s not done.”
“You’ve got to go home. You have to look at yourself in the mirror, and you have to believe in the process. You have to understand this is part of the process. So, you know, I’ve been worse, and I’ve never felt better. He’s been better. Probably never felt worse. So it just sucks. It’s a crazy game.” {H/t MMA Junkie}
Justin Gaethje compliments Michael Chandler for his toughness
Michael Chandler and Justin Gaethje threw huge bombs at each other during the fight. Gaethje stunned Chandler with a huge uppercut in the second round but he survived and the fight went to the distance. Chandler later shared a photo of him and Gaethje in the hospital and ‘The Highlight’ compliments him for his toughness.
Gaethje says, “We had a brief conversation, He’s so f*cking tough, man. And he was, you know, walking around, standing up, acting like he was – I was like, ‘Dude, sit the f*ck down. Stop.’ Like, let’s check all pride right now, and let’s just take care of our bodies. But ultimately, the damage that he took was exponential, and you can put on a tough face.”
“But you know, I’m just so thankful it wasn’t five rounds because, again, I had him figured out after the first three minutes of that fight, and it was just going to – the damage incurred would have been exasperated, you know? Way more. Way more.” {H/t MMA Junkie}
