A high-level lightweight clash between Justin Gaethje and Michael Chandler is expected to land on UFC’s November 6th pay-per-view event, per a report from Brett Okamoto of ESPN.
The fight, which has been verbally agreed upon, is being targeted for UFC 268. While the event doesn’t have a confirmed location, the promotion is reportedly looking to return to the Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York, USA.
Should the bout be confirmed, it would be both fighter’s first appearances since losing a title fight in the past year.
Chandler got his first UFC title bout just months ago, which resulted in him being stopped in the second round by Charles Oliveira. The fight was Chandler’s second appearance in the promotion since making the move over from Bellator.
The former Bellator Lightweight Champion’s sole UFC victory was in January when he stopped Dan Hooker within a round with strikes.
Gaethje’s last fight came in October of last year, where now-retired fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov submitted him with a triangle choke.
Gaethje had developed a strong streak of finish victories before then, including an interim title fight victory over Tony Ferguson.
It was reported earlier this week that UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman will rematch Colby Covington in the main event of UFC 268. No other bouts have been booked for the card so far.
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