WATCH: Fan footage provides unique view of UFC 268 carnage… as McGregor ‘agrees’ bout with beaten Chandler
Footage from the crowd at UFC 268 at New York’s iconic Madison Square Garden has given a perfect view of the hell-for-leather chaos which unfolded between Justin Gaethje and Michael Chandler in their instant classic on Saturday.
Lightweight contenders Gaethje and Chandler threw down for three crowd-pleasing rounds at the fighting mecca.
The bout was hailed as an all-time great showdown, and when the dust had settled it was Gaethje who had his arm raised with a victory on the scorecards, 29-28, 29-28, 30-27.
Video from among the crowd of around 20,000 in attendance captured the atmosphere and the action from a perfect vantage point as the American pair traded heavy shots in the Octagon below.
The clip includes the moment Gaethje seemed close to finishing former Bellator champion Chandler with a brutal right hand in the second round, only for ‘Iron’ to somehow weather the onslaught.
This fan angle of the Gaethje vs Chandler fight ???? pic.twitter.com/OGDOJoBIL1
— ᴛʜᴇᴀʀᴛᴏꜰᴡᴀʀ???????? (@TheArtOfWar6) November 8, 2021
Chandler was left to lick his wounds after his defeat – which was his second in three UFC bouts since making the switch from Bellator.
But the former 155lbs UFC title contender was not disheartened, posing for a smiling picture with Gaethje from hospital after their war.
Justin Gaethje posted a photo of him and Michael Chandler from the hospital after their war at #UFC268
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) November 7, 2021
(via @Justin_Gaethje) pic.twitter.com/TC5etzSByR
Chandler already has eyes on his next opponent, calling out former two-weight champion Conor McGregor with a mock-up face-off on Monday.
The Irishman, who is recovering from his brutal broken leg suffered against Dustin Poirier in his last Octagon appearance in July, respectfully responded, seemingly asserting that he would be down for a scrap “at some stage.”
2022 pic.twitter.com/Da0D3zhOEr
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) November 8, 2021
I’m down at some stage for sure. Great fight the other night Mike, congrats!
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) November 8, 2021
Thank you sir. It would be my pleasure. See you soon.
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) November 8, 2021
Gaethje, meanwhile, will hope for another title shot and a meeting with the winner of the contest between reigning lightweight king Charles Oliveira and former interim champion Poirier at UFC 269 in December.