Michael Chandler picked up one of the biggest wins of his career at UFC 274 – at the expense of fan favourite veteran Tony Ferguson. The two lightweights met in the middle bout of the event’s main card on Saturday night in Phoenix, Arizona. The former Bellator lightweight king Chandler was riding two straight losses, while Ferguson had lost his last three, so both men were in desperate need of a win. Ferguson, the former interim lightweight champion, started strong, stinging Chandler with a left hook in the opening minute of the first round. But Chandler survived that scare, only to put a decisive end to things in round two, flattening his foe with a devastating kick to the face. It took several minutes for Ferguson to regain consciousness, but the American was back on his feet by the time Chandler’s knockout victory was made official. Chandler called out McGregor after his KO win 🗣 #UFC274 pic.twitter.com/m7Rk5jTrvE — ESPN MMA (@espnmma) May 8, 2022 In his post-fight interview with commentator Joe Rogan, the former Bellator champ called for a fight with the winner of Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje’s lightweight title fight, which will headline the UFC 274 card. “There is not one MMA fan on the planet that doesn’t want to see me rematch you Charles, or rematch you Justin Gaethje,” he said. “Five rounds for the UFC lightweight title.” Chandler also suggested a contingency plan should the next lightweight title fight go to somebody else: a welterweight fight with MMA superstar Conor McGregor. “If Hunter Campbell and Dana White have a momentary lapse in judgment and give the title shot to someone else, I’ve got one name on my mind: Conor McGregor,” he said. “You’ve got to come aback and fight somebody. I’m the most entertaining lightweight on the planet. But I want to up the stakes. I want you at your biggest, I want you at your baddest, I want you at your best. You and me at 170 [pounds].” It did not take long to respond to Chandler’s post-fight remark. Soon after the American left the Octagon, the Irish star took Twitter to seemingly accept his rival’s challenge. I’d have a nice knock off this guy, no doubt about it. A firework spectacle. I like the 170 shout also. Tipped him over. I’m definitely game to fight this guy at some stage in my career. I see it happening after tonight. Congrats on a solid win Michael and another barnstormer. — Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) May 8, 2022 With his career-changing win over Ferguson, the 36-year-old Chandler (23-7) has distanced himself from a decision loss to Gaethje last autumn and a knockout loss to Oliveira earlier in 2021. Those setbacks were preceded by a first-round knockout victory over Dan Hooker in his Octagon debut. The 38-year-old Ferguson (25-7), who had never been knocked clean out before, is one a four-fight skid, having come up short against Gaethje by TKO, Oliveira and Beneil Dariush by decision, and now Chandler. His current rough patch was preceded by 12 consecutive victories – one of the best streaks in the history of the lightweight division.