MMA Brings Gladiators to the Big Apple

When Justin Gaethje and Michael Chandler agreed to fight each other at Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) 268 in early November fans knew they were in for a treat. Both fighters are fan favorites who have never been in a boring fight. UFC president Dana White previewed the fight as, “[a] showdown between the two hardest hitters in the lightweight division. This fight has all the makings of an all-time classic.”

Other UFC champions headlined the card that was held at Madison Square Garden. But fans were anticipating Gaethje vs Chandler the most. The fighters shared a competitive disdain for each other and traded verbal jabs in the build-up toward the fight. Gaethje took shots at Chandler on social media. He taunted him: “Get to the cage safe and sound so I can get my check.” Chandler responded, “Meet me in the center. First, one to take a backward step is a timid soul.”

Mixed martial arts (MMA) has had a long journey. It was banned in New York in 1997 because of the level of violence and lack of unified rules. The UFC took steps in 2001 to improve the way fights were run and legitimize the sport for mass audiences. The ban was finally lifted in 2016. Five years later, the UFC continues to be the face of MMA with blockbuster fights that regularly sell out crowds in New York City’s premier arena.

On fight night fans waited in the packed arena with great excitement. The fight began with a blistering uppercut by Gaethje. It landed flush under Chandler’s chin, sending him tumbling to the canvas. Fans might have thought the action over. Instead, Chandler simply wrestled his opponents’ legs and looked at the referee with a reassuring smile. Chandler then came out swinging wildly in the next round, wobbling Gaethje repeatedly but not enough to finish him.

In a fight scheduled for three five-minute rounds, fans were treated to a back and forth battle. The audience was shocked when the fight went the distance, with Justin Gaethje winning a 29-28 majority decision. The standing ovation was deafening.

Post-fight respect was mutual. After a long embrace, Gaethje praised Chandler in his cage-side interview. “He is a warrior. We are living in the wrong time. He and I should have been fighting to the death in a coliseum.”

Fans like Joe Christiansen described the fight as “[s]omething straight from an action movie. It was downright madness. No one was sitting for that fight. The entire arena was on their feet.” Media personalities Ariel Helwani and Joe Rogan were heavy in their praise, labeling the fight as one of the greatest in UFC history. Joe Rogan simply asked his colleagues post-fight “Did we just witness the greatest fight of all time? Probably.”