Justin Gaethje Vs. Michael Chandler Brawl At UFC 268 Should Be UFC’s Fight Of The Year

Justin Gaethje versus Michael Chandler was bloody, brutal and aggressive.

Chandler (22-7) survived the fight while Gaethje (23-3) broke down his opponent slowly and strategically. The constant ruthless action made its own case for UFC’s Fight of the Year.

Gaethje and Chandler faced each other in Madison Square Garden on the undercard of UFC 268: Kamaru Usman vs. Colby Covington II.

Chandler was looking to bounce back from a loss for the vacant 155-pound title against current champion Charles Oliveira. He was knocked out in the second-round.

Gaethje, meanwhile, faced Khabib Nurmagomedov as the interim lightweight champion, but Nurmagomedov earned his final victory in his professional MMA fight.

At UFC 268, the first round started well for Chandler.

He used Gaethje’s skills against him while attacking with the low kicks. He was attacking at the same point. In the first half of the first round, Chandler had his moment, but in the last two minutes, Gaethje got into rhythm.

In the second round, Gaethje started dominating by landing a left hook. Gaethje then landed a massive uppercut, but somehow Chandler survived.

Chandler managed to hold on until the third round with a bloodied face. Gaethje was handed a unanimous decision victory.

“He is a warrior and we are living in the wrong times,” Gaethje said in his post-fight interview.

“Me and him should have been fighting to the death in a colosseum.”