Gaethje: Chandler is 'slandering my name'
Warning: Story contains coarse language
Justin Gaethje has heard enough from Michael Chandler.
Chandler accused Gaethje of ducking him and warned that he needs to be ready to "make a highlight or be made a highlight," according to Mike Bohn of MMA Junkie.
The 32-year-old denied that he's avoiding a matchup, instead implying that UFC president Dana White has given Chandler preferential treatment.
@MikeChandlerMMA is talking out of his ass. I was waiting for the bout agreement 3 weeks into camp and wake up to news his daddy Dana gave him the shot. He’s been out of commission since the KO. What am I missing? I’m on vacay and this fucker is slandering my name. 3-4 times? 🤦♂️
— Justin Gaethje 🇺🇸 (@Justin_Gaethje) July 21, 2021
The former interim lightweight champion hasn't fought since suffering a submission loss to Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 254 last October.
Gaethje expected he would square off against Chandler at UFC 262 after Nurmagomedov retired and vacated the lightweight title.
The No. 2-ranked lightweight was left without a dance partner when the promotion scheduled Charles Oliveira against Chandler. Oliveira won the belt after a second-round knockout.
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