Tsarukyan: Chandler 'No. 1 easy fight' for Oliveira

UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan believes Charles Oliveira's rematch with Michael Chandler will be a walk in the park.

"Michael Chandler is gonna lose for sure," Tsarukyan told MMA Junkie's Mike Bohn. "He's No. 1 easy fight for Charles Oliveira. He's gonna choke him out or knock him out. (Chandler) is easy money for Oliveira."

Oliveira, the former 155-pound champion who lost to Tsarukyan earlier this year, is scheduled to face Chandler in the UFC 309 co-main event on Nov. 16 at New York's Madison Square Garden. Oliveira knocked out Chandler in the second round of a back-and-forth fight to capture the vacant title in May 2021.

Tsarukyan, meanwhile, is expected to challenge current champ Islam Makhachev for the belt in early 2025.

Tsarukyan said he sees a championship rematch against Oliveira coming to fruition next year after they both win their next fights. Tsarukyan eked out a split decision over Oliveira at UFC 300 in April.

"After that fight (with Chandler), Oliveira is gonna be the next (challenger) after me," Tsarukyan said. "I'm gonna fight with Islam, and after that fight, for sure he is gonna fight for the title. Because he has a big name, he was a champion, and the UFC loves him."