Justin Gaethje makes history and surpasses Michael Chandler on points in epic 'war' at UFC 268

J. Gaethje (right) defeated M. Chandler (left) in the UFC 268. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

The story was written this weekend. Former interim lightweight champion (up to 70,3kg.), Justin gaethje there was a real war on the main card of the UFC 268, held this Saturday (6), in New York (USA). Opponent of Michael chandler In one of the most anticipated clashes of the event, the athlete had a hard time, but achieved a great turnaround in the final rounds. After 15 minutes, the fighter was declared the winner with a unanimous decision by the judges.

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In one of the biggest cards of the 2021 season, Gaethje returned to the octagon after more than a year of inactivity. Victim of Khabib Nurmagomedov In October 2020, the American managed to recover and is once again looking closely at a new fight for the group's linear belt.

Even though he was defeated in the show, Chandler was the target of applause from the audience at Madison Square Garden. After surviving a real punishment in the second round, the former Bellator champion once again proved to be a top-notch athlete and, at times, came close to surprising his opponent.

While Justin resumes his path to victory in Ultimate, Michael has his second consecutive stumble with UFC gloves, in three commitments.

With the victory over Michael, Justin defends second place in the group led by Charles of the Bronx. In addition to the renewed confidence, the North American may have qualified to face the winner of the clash between the champion and Dustin poirier, who fight in December.

The fight

The confrontation began with Gaethje taking the initiative with a low kick. Chandler responded with a cross, which shook his opponent. Justin recovered and accepted the frank exchange with Michael. The duel remained tense, with the athletes looking for a knockout. Chandler's blows landed cleanly on his rival's face, while the former interim champion seemed lost in the duel. Michael continued to have the advantage in striking and Gaethje's attacks went by in vain. Halfway through the round, Michael began to punish Justin with a combination of crosses. Chandler continued attacking, but Justin still responded and was in danger. Towards the final minute, Michael provoked his opponent and continued to have an advantage in the stand-up fight. Even suffering from his rival's attacks, Gaethje continued to respond and was in danger. Near the end of the round, Chandler risked a takedown, but his opponent defended himself well. The assault ended with the athletes studying each other in the center of the octagon.

The second round began with Chandler taking the initiative with a jab. Gaethje responded with a direct. The attacks did not go unanswered and the confrontation remained tense. As the duel went on, Justin began to loosen up and, unlike the first round, he touched his opponent more. After just over a minute, Justin landed a clean hook on his opponent's face, who fell. In a disadvantageous position, Michael clung to his opponent's legs and tried to fight the duel at any cost. On top, Gaethje continued hitting and attempted a submission. Justin allowed his opponent to get up and the fight returned to striking. Standing, Justin was better, but Michael showed a lot of resistance. Near the final minute, Chandler was desperately looking for a takedown, but Gaethje protected himself well. While Michael tried to recover, Justin continued to punish and seek the knockout. The round ended with the fighters facing each other in the center of the octagon.

In the last stage, Gaethje launched the first attack, with a low kick. Justin's hands remained sharp and touched Chandler. The former Bellator continued to surprise with his resistance and walked forward, throwing powerful jabs and right hands. Michael let his guard down and tried to lure his rival into making a mistake. Chandler looked for his legs and finally managed to take him down, but Justin was attentive and quickly reversed the situation. The athletes stood up and exchanged attacks again in the center of the Octagon. Michael called his opponent to fight and once again had the advantage in striking. Chandler threw an upper and Justin responded with an overhand. The public was thrilled with the duel. In the final minute, the athletes began to save their attacks and studied each other, until the timer reached zero.

UFC 268 results

MAIN CARD

Welterweight Weight: Kamaru Usman derrotou Colby covington in the unanimous decision of the judges (48-47, 48-47, 49-46) – Fight for the belt

Straw weight: Rose namajunas derrotou Weili Zhang in the judges' split decision (47-48, 48-47 and 49-46) – Fight for the belt

Bantamweight: Marlon Vera derrotou Frankie Edgar by knockout at 3m50s of R3

Feather weight: Shane burgos defeated Billy Quarantino via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Lightweight: Justin gaethje derrotou Michael chandler in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

PRELIMINARY CARD

Average weight: Alex Poatán derrotou Andreas Michailidis by technical knockout (knee) 18 seconds into R2

Lightweight: Bobby Green derrotou To the fifth by technical knockout at 2m25s of R1

Average weight: Chris Curtis derrotou phil hawes by technical knockout at 4:27 of R1

Middleweight: Nassourdine Imavovo defeated Edmen shahbazyan by technical knockout at 4m42s of R2

Welterweight Weight: Ian Gary derrotou jordan williams by knockout at 4m59s of R1

Heavyweight: Chris Barnett derrotou Gian Villante by technical knockout at 2m23s of R2

Light Heavyweight: dustin jacoby derrotou John allan in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)

Feather weight: Melsik Baghdasaryan derrotou Bruno Souza in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Fly weight: Ode Osbourne derrotou CJ Vergara in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

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