UFC Lightweight Title Match to Feature Charles Oliveira and Michael Chandler

Michael Chandler with Brie Willett at the CMT Awards in 2017
Michael Chandler with Brie Willett at the CMT Awards in 2017. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Debby Wong/Shutterstock (9146719w) Brie Willett, Michael Chandler Jr CMT Artists of the Year, Arrivals, Nashville, USA - 18 Oct 2017

Dana White finally accepted Khabib Nurmagomedov’s decision to retire and leave the UFC lightweight champion belt vacant.

White, who serves as UFC’s president, told ESPN earlier this week that he recently had another meeting with Nurmagomedov and tried to convince him to fight again. The Dagestani fighter rejected the proposal and prompted the promotion to start preparing for life after.

“Khabib is retired and doesn’t wanna hold up the division,” said White. “Tonight was our final meeting, and he is retired.”

According to White, Charles Oliveira and Michael Chandler will get the chance to claim the vacant UFC lightweight title. The two fighters are expected to face on May 15th at UFC 262.

Oliveira has been with the UFC since 2010, switching between lightweight and featherweight a couple of times. The 31-year-old fighter has a 30-8 MMA record and is currently riding an eight-fight winning streak. His last fight was in December when he defeated Tony Ferguson at UFC 256 via unanimous decision.

Chandler, on the other hand, is a new face in UFC. He made his debut with the promotion at UFC 257 with a TKO win over Dan Hooker.

The 34-year-old fighter spent the majority of his MMA career with Bellator. He was the promotion’s three-time Lightweight Champion while also winning the Bellator Season Four Lightweight Tournament.

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