Michael Chandler thinks the UFC Freedom 250 main event has all the makings of a massive upset.
Ilia Topuria (17-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) unifies his lightweight title with interim champion Justin Gaethje (27-5 MMA, 10-5 UFC) on June 14 at the White House in Washington D.C. (Paramount+).
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Chandler (23-10 MMA, 2-5 UFC) once called Topuria the most skilled guy in mixed martial arts, but with the magnitude of the White House event, his gut instinct says we’re in for a surprise.
“My heart says Justin,” Chandler told MMA Junkie. “He and I have become friendly over the last couple of years. We’re cut from the same cloth – college wrestlers, hard working mom and dad. Ilia Topuria is just about as unbeatable as we have seen in a very long time. But with that being said, nobody stays undefeated in this sport.
“And if anybody has the ability to knock off Ilia Topuria, take his 0, take his undefeated streak, take his belt, it’s Justin Gaethje – especially with this much on the line, on America’s birthday, on the 250th anniversary of this great nation of ours. I’m leaning toward Gaethje. I think he’s going to get the job done.”
Chandler is also a big underdog when he competes at UFC Freedom 250. He will look to snap his three-fight losing skid against rising lightweight Mauricio Ruffy (13-2 MMA, 4-1 UFC).
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Michael Chandler’s heart says Justin Gaethje beats Ilia Topuria
