Famed Boxing Personality Compares UFC 268 PPV Show-Opener To 'Thrilla In Manila'

Justin Gaethje and Michael Chandler’s strike fest in the pay-per-view card-opener of UFC 268 had legendary boxing personality Teddy Atlas reminiscing of the “Thrilla In Manila”.

Speaking with Jose Youngs of MMA Fighting after the event, Atlas was quick to credit both lightweights’ insane work rate and striking output, immediately comparing it to Muhammad Ali versus Joe Frazier.

“I thought that I was in Manila without the humidity. I was in Manila, it was [Joe] Frazier- [Muhammad] Ali, the ‘Thrilla in Manila,' except it was in New York. For me, from now on, it’s the ‘Thrilla in MSG.' I know it doesn’t flow quite as nice as the ‘Thrilla in Manila,’ but it was every bit of it,” Atlas said.

In an era where technical proficiency on the ground has become the norm over fighters doing their best to imitate the "Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots" toy line, the Top-Five ranked lightweights in the UFC put on a fight for the ages.

From the start of the fight, Gaethje and Chandler had Madison Square Garden rocking as both fighters were not afraid to let their hands loose and throw power shots whenever they wanted.

The first round was an absolute toss-up between the two lightweights, but Gaethje got the first major moment of the fight, knocking Chandler flat on his back with a perfectly-timed uppercut while slipping the jab.

However, the 35-year-old Chandler found his wits about him and immediately went to force a takedown, which Gaethje managed to stave off.

Moreover, the two had a short exchange on the ground before Gaethje allowed Chandler to get back on his feet.

The accumulation of kicks to Chandler’s lead leg had sucked out most of the power in his strikes, but he still found enough strength to lift Gaethje off his feet and land a high-impact double0leg takedown in the third round, to which the former interim UFC lightweight champion countered into a back mount.

Gaethje looked absolutely dominant in this fight, landing 116 significant strikes compared to Chandler’s 103 to pick up the victory via unanimous decision.

The fight was named Fight of the Night and has been lauded as an early favorite for Fight of the Year.

In full recognition of their achievement, the pair shared a post-fight photo in the hospital, adding to the album of opponents who spent their time awaiting treatment.

Gaethje’s massive showing against Chandler has fans expecting him to have first crack at whoever wins in the title fight between Dustin Poirier and reigning lightweight king Charles Oliveira at UFC 269 on December 11.