Khabib Nurmagomedov is still the Lightweight Champion and it could be time for him to relinquish the title, according to Michael Chandler
Michael Chandler was one of the standout performers from UFC 257. The former Bellator champion knocked out Dan Hooker on his UFC debut and put himself in the title scene.
Chandler wasn’t the only winner in the Lightweight division that night. Dustin Poirier also destroyed Conor McGregor and there have been talks of The Diamond facing Chandler for the title.
Khabib Nurmagomedov currently holds the gold but retired from the competition after defeating Justin Gaethje.
Chandler was speaking to Ariel Helwani and was asked what to do with the belt and Khabib:
“I don’t ever want to use the word strip. Obviously, Khabib is the greatest of all time. He is the Lightweight champion but he has already made it clear he is not coming back.
“It has already been a quarter of a year since he said I am not coming back. He definitely saw something spectacular in me, in Dustin [Poirier], it still wasn’t enough for him to come back, Charles Oliveira looked spectacular in December.”
It is time for a Lightweight title clash
Khabib had spoken about someone grabbing his attention at UFC 257. However, despite the finishes, Khabib wasn’t sold on a return.
The Russian is 29-0 in his career and the 30th fight could be something special. However, Chandler wanted Dana White to make a decision over the belt and believed a title fight was coming soon:
“At some point he’s got to admit, ‘I am not coming back’, Dana is going to admit to himself Khabib is not coming back and we need to move the Lightweight division, as you said, in a respectful manner.
“So I think, yes, that title should be up for grabs very soon.”
It is to be seen who White finally can set up for the title. Poirier should be in the race but he isn’t keen on fighting Chandler.
Poirier even claimed that he would allow Charles Oliveira and Chandler to fight for the belt and make a decision later.
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