A new UFC lightweight champion will be crowned: either Michael Chandler or Charles Oliveira, and Dustin Poirier nowhere to be found.
UFC has acknowledged Khabib Nurmagomedov's retirement and will move forward with Chandler vs. Oliveira for the vacant strap at UFC 262. The news was first reported by ESPN's Brett Okamoto and subsequently confirmed by MMA Fighting.
With UFC acknowledging Khabib Nurmagomedov is retired, Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) and Charles Oliveira (@CharlesDoBronxs) will fight for the lightweight championship at UFC 262 on May 15. End of an era. Start of a new chapter at 155. pic.twitter.com/he6cEEg5n0
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) March 19, 2021
Poirier, who is currently ranked number one in the division and coming off consecutive wins over Conor McGregor and Dan Hooker, is currently preparing for a trilogy fight with McGregor.
Chandler (22-5) is a former Bellator lightweight champion who made a thunderous debut at UFC 257 with a first-round knockout of Hooker. Oliveira (30-8) rides a nine-fight winning streak, including wins over Tony Ferguson and Kevin Lee in his last two outings. Oliveira and Chandler sit at no. 3 and no. 4 in the lightweight division, respectively, while Poirier sits at no. 1.
UFC 262 takes place on Saturday, May 15.
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