A new chapter in UFC lightweight history began on Thursday when Khabib Nurmagomedov’s retirement was officially recognized by Dana White and the lightweight title became vacant.
It took only a matter of moments for a new championship bout to be booked. Charles Oliveira (30-8 MMA, 18-8 UFC) will finally get his crack at UFC gold when he meets Michael Chandler (22-5 MMA, 1-0 UFC) in a dual for Nurmagomedov’s freshly relinquished strap at UFC 262 on May 15.
The landscape shifting moment naturally got a major rise out of the MMA community. For more, check out the top Twitter reactions to the major news around the UFC’s 155-pound division.
Smart! Very smart!
Bossman is using the old “Hey, sure, we can be just friends…” strategy.
Not without its own risks, gotta pick the right moment or Khabib will be all “Honestly, no, I’m flattered, but I see you more as a brother.”
But dont count Dana out yet! https://t.co/48UzK87AEO
— Ant Evans (@AntEvansMMA) March 19, 2021
The UFC lightweight division is officially open for business.
Oliveira-Chandler for the vacant title
Poirier-McGregor 3
Ferguson-Dariush
Plus Gaethje, Dos Anjos, Makhachev …
— Nick Baldwin (@NickBaldwinMMA) March 19, 2021
Congrats on making the first @BellatorMMA V @UFC super fight in the history of the sport! I hope it’s the first of many!
— Crypto accepted @CrisCyborg.Com/store (@criscyborg) March 19, 2021
Khabib Nurmagomedov retires as the #1 pound for pound best fighter in the world.
He’s the only fighter in MMA history to do so. pic.twitter.com/XuLqGCj54M
— MMA History Today (@MMAHistoryToday) March 19, 2021
Happy for both guys. Whoever wins, it’s an incredible story. Either Michael Chandler becomes UFC lightweight king in two fights after a career being told he wasn’t that good — or Charles Oliveira’s “road less traveled” journey reigns supreme. I’m hooked. #UFC262 https://t.co/fW4HpT7Fhu
— Nolan King (@mma_kings) March 19, 2021
My guess a Poirier didn’t care and knows it’ll come. No chance he was snubbed he would’ve definitely been part of the conversation.
This game from the bottom to the top is about timing #UFC262
— Damien Brown (@beatdown155) March 19, 2021
I was of the opinion that Oliveira should’ve capitalized on Nate Diaz calling him out because I figured he would be the one left out in the cold, but I was wrong. Good for him! https://t.co/9LPw5UAbtW
— Simon Samano (@SJSamano) March 19, 2021
