Michael Chandler is set to face Mauricio Ruffy at UFC Freedom 250, an event scheduled for the White House’s South Lawn in Washington, D.C., on Sunday, June 14, 2026.
The UFC card is being held to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, with Chandler positioned as the biggest betting underdog on the lineup.
Looking ahead to Ruffy, Chandler said, "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," before contrasting their paths. "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’ve earned every single thing and fought for every single thing I’ve accomplished in the sport. That’s not to take anything away from him; we just have two different styles."
Chandler added, "I’m a hammer that is looking for a nail, and he looks like he’s playing a video game out there," and later continued, "So when the waters get deep, the going gets tough, and the oxygen gets sucked out of the Octagon — when the big shot lands and I just shake it off and look you straight in the eyes, and I’m coming to snatch your soul, where is he going to be? I think we’ve seen that in the past."
A former UFC Lightweight title challenger and former Bellator champion, Chandler enters UFC Freedom 250 on a three-fight losing streak and a 2-5 record inside the Octagon.
