One of the most exciting fights coming up this weekend at UFC 268 isn’t even one of the two title fights. Instead, all eyes will be on the fascinating lightweight showdown between Justin Gaethje and Michael Chandler when it airs live on
Gaethje vs. Chandler is the third fight of the UFC 268 main card and will take place before the two title fight rematches: Kamaru Usman vs. Colby Covington and also Rose Namajunas vs. Zhang Weili.
The lightweight fight has significant implications on the standings in the 155-pound division, however, with Gaethje ranked #2 following his defeat to then-champion Khabib Nurmagomedov last year. Chandler has settled at #4 following his defeat to current champion Charles Oliveira.
Bookmakers have Justin Gaethje as the favorite heading into UFC 268 this Saturday night. Before then, James Lynch asked UFC fighters for their Justin Gaethje vs. Michael Chandler predictions and here’s what they said.
How to watch UFC 268
Justin Gaethje vs. Michael Chandler is a featured lightweight bout on the UFC 268 main card this Saturday night. The only way to watch UFC 268 live in the United States is by ordering on ESPN+ here.
The main event of UFC 268 is a UFC Welterweight Championship rematch between Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington.
Existing ESPN+ subscribers can purchase the UFC 268 PPV for $69.99.
New ESPN+ subscribers can purchase the UFC 268 & ESPN+ Bundle for $89.99.
The UFC 268 & ESPN+ hosts all UFC Fight Night events, Dana White’s Contender Series, Top Rank Boxing, and a wide range of other sports and original shows.
Billy Quarantillo
“I’m going to go with Justin Gaethje on that one. I think his defensive wrestling is good enough that I don’t think Michael Chandler will necessarily wrestle with him too much. Gaethje has been getting ready for this one with Kamaru Usman, getting ready for the fight together, I’m going to go with Justin Gaethje on this one with Trevor Wittman.”
0:43 – James Lynch’s MMA Pros Pick
Devonte Smith
“That’s a hard one. Gaethje just doesn’t care, he’s a bigger version of Tony Ferguson in the sense of moving forward and not caring and literally throwing his body to the wind, like ‘If I can’t use this leg anymore, then oh well.’ Chandler keeps a very low stance and once he grabs you, then obviously he’s not a weak guy, so it obviously depends on who gets caught first. They’re both talking about not backing down — someone is going to back down. [I’m picking] Gaethje.”
1:28 – James Lynch’s MMA Pros Pick
Kevin Lee
“Gaethje. The leg kicks, the pressure… Justin Gaethje.”
0:16 – James Lynch’s MMA Pros Pick
Jack Shore
“As good as Chandler is, he’s so explosive in that first round. Gaethje is a man of steel, he’s as tough as they come.
“He’s not afraid to throw himself into the fire in order to win a fight. And I we see that, you know, he’ll weather the storm, really, especially those leg kicks against a good wrestler like Chandler I think they’ll take their toll. I think Gaethje does it late.”
0:34 – James Lynch’s MMA Pros Pick
Dakota Bush
“That’s a tough one. I like Chandler, I’m leaning toward Chandler but if Gaethje does his homework and stick to the game plan I think he can get the finish. But Chandler is so explosive, he can shut anyone’s lights out in the division. I’m leaning toward Chandler in this one via knockout.”
1:27 – James Lynch’s MMA Pros Pick
Krzysztof Jotko
“Michael Chandler. I love Michael Chandler. I remember his fight with Eddie Alvarez in Bellator. I watched this fight a million times over and over, it was so good. I think Chandler.”
0:39 – James Lynch’s MMA Pros Pick
Niko Price
“I like Gaethje, all around. I can’t go against Gaethje. I like his style, I like his attitude, his personality. Chandler is a great guy, too.”