Michael Chandler challenger faces rising Brazilian prospect Mauricio Ruffy this Sunday, June 14, on the White House South Lawn in Washington,
D.C. Despite entering as one of the biggest underdogs on the card, Chandler remains confident that his experience and grit will make the difference.
He expects Ruffy to fold
At UFC Freedom Media day, he questioned how Ruffy would respond under pressure.
“I see him as a guy who probably grew up watching mixed martial arts on TV and watching highlights on YouTube, and he wanted to be a certain type of fighter.”
“So when the waters get deep, the going gets tough, and the oxygen gets sucked out of the Octagon… I’m coming to snatch your soul, where is he going to be?”
Getting his hand raised no matter what
Having lost three straight fights, the 40-year-old veteran admitted this matchup means more than putting on a show.
“I’m a walk-on at the University of Missouri. I’m a wrestler. I’m a nonstop, in-your-face grinder type of guy.”
“… I plan on getting my hand raised. This one is for me.”
“This is about me getting my hand raised on America’s 250th birthday.”
Michael Chandler vs. Mauricio Ruffy – What are the odds?
MMA bookmakers favor Mauricio Ruffy at -190 (1.53), while Michael Chandler enters as a +160 (2.60) underdog. Ruffy brings serious momentum, explosive kickboxing, and a 3.5-inch reach advantage into the historic UFC White House showdown.
Chandler, however, remains a live underdog. The former title challenger still carries elite wrestling, fight-ending power, and if he decides to fight smart for once, he could spoil the rise of one of the division’s hottest prospects. If he is really motivated to win, the way he claims, he better bring his wrestling.