Justin Gaethje (photo via YouTube)

By FCF Staff

Dana White has talked about holding a tournament to help clarify the UFC’s lightweight championship picture, and it looks like Justin Gaethje versus Michael Chandler is in those plans.

Ever since Khabib Nurmagomedov announced he was retiring last October, there’s been extensive speculation about who will fight for the UFC’s 155 title. White’s made it clear he hopes to bring Nurmagomedov back for more bouts, and as a result, Khabib currently remains the champion.

White has also talked about promoting a tournament, in which, either a bout for the vacated title would be set, or, a challenger for Nurmagomedov would be determined. According to reports, ESPN’s Ariel Helwani recently reported he’s learned the UFC is hoping to book Gaethje versus Chandler.

The former interim champ Gaethje (22-3) hasn’t fought since October, when he was choked out by Nurmagomedov.

Chandler (22-5) made his UFC debut in January, and the former Bellator champ quickly stopped Dan Hooker.

The expectation is that Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor will fight for a third time, in one of the other, pivotal lightweight fights.