Michael Chandler has revealed that he was originally set to face a top-five-ranked opponent at UFC Freedom 250 before the promotion ultimately matched him against rising lightweight contender Mauricio Ruffy.
Speaking with Megan Olivi in an interview for Paramount Plus this week, Chandler (23-10 MMA, 2-5 UFC) explained that the UFC initially offered him a different opponent for the historic event at the White House. However, those plans fell through when the unnamed fighter was unable to compete.
“Actually at the very beginning, there was a different opponent that I accepted,” Chandler said. “But he wasn't going to be able to compete at that time as a guy inside the top five.”
The former Bellator champion said accepting high-level challenges has been a core part of his approach since joining the UFC in 2020.
“Because you know me, I always want the toughest competition I possibly can fight,” Chandler said. “I came over to the UFC as a 34-year-old seasoned veteran, former world champion outside the UFC. I wanted to come into the UFC, and I told everybody, I'm not going to be here for a long time. I want to be here for a good time. I'm going to fight the toughest guys in the world.”
According to Chandler, the situation briefly left him without an opponent and concerned about losing his place on one of the most anticipated cards in UFC history.
“So I had a top five opponent and he wasn't able to make it,” Chandler continued. “So then, (for) 24 hours we were kind of in limbo. It's like, 'Hey, I have the White House opportunity, but I don't have an opponent. So we better get an opponent quick, so I don't get pushed off the White House card.'”
The UFC eventually proposed Ruffy as a replacement, and Chandler says he immediately accepted the matchup.
“And then they said, 'What do you think about Ruffy?'” Chandler said. “And before he finished saying it, I said, 'Of course.' I've never said no to an opponent since I signed with this organization in 2020. And here we go. We get to go to compete.”
Chandler will now face Ruffy (13-2 MMA, 4-1 UFC) at UFC Freedom 250, with the veteran lightweight looking to add another marquee victory to his résumé against one of the division’s fastest-rising prospects.
