UFC 268 notebook: Michael Chandler on rebounding, Al Iaquinta's 'second chance', more

From the highest of highs to the lowest of lows. It’s a common phrase used in mixed martial arts, moreso than any other sport, to describe the feelings of being on top of the world one night and being removed from consciousness on another night.

Michael Chandler knows both ends.

The former Bellator lightweight champion made a notable splash in his UFC debut last January, knocking out Dan Hooker in the first round of the co-main event of UFC 257. Five months later, Chandler found himself on the other side of the highlight reel, losing by TKO to Charles Oliveira for the lightweight title at UFC 262.

"There's always that possibility that bad things are going to happen," Chandler said at UFC 268 media day on Wednesday. "I got clipped, but I had the confidence and expectancy that entire training camp, just felt like it was perfect. So I think it was just more of a letdown. It was the highest of high. This is where you want to be, you want to fight for that number one slot in the world. And had I won May 15, that would have made me the number one guy in the world and I would have accomplished that goal. So I think it was more just the hangover from how high I was on thinking that I was going to win."

Chandler (22-6, 1-1 UFC) will face former interim champion Justin Gaethje (22-3, 5-3) on the main card Saturday at Madison Square Garden. Gaethje last fought in October 2020, losing to undefeated champion Khabib Nurmagomedov in a title unification bout.

Chandler has been in this position before, coming off a high-profile loss and needing to adjust.

"I've learned some things about how to come back from losses and how to deal with losses and I think, truly, that's where your character is really tested," Chandler said. "That's where your mettle is really tested, in those moments of defeat where you can pull yourself back up. Now I get another opportunity against another top guy in the world, arguably the most exciting guy in mixed martial arts in general against Justin Gaethje on Saturday night. So the stage is set for another phenomenal night."

Rage against the inactivity

"Raging" Al Iaquinta of Wantagh makes his return to the UFC’s octagon after two years of battling through injuries, surgeries and physical setbacks.

"Kind of feels like a second chance," the 34-year-old Iaquinta said. "A lot of fighters probably wouldn't have made it here. So I'm going to go out there and just, I really don't care. It's going to be fun, either way. It's Madison Square Garden. It's cool that this is happening. So I'm embracing it all."

Iaquinta (14-6) once was ranked as high as No. 4 in the lightweight and challenged Khabib Nurmagomedov for the vacant title on 30 hours’ notice.

He’ll face Bobby Green on the UFC 268 prelims (airing on ESPNEWS), a bout that was first scheduled to happen in 2015.

Iaquinta also is a real estate agent on Long Island and has made a good living at it, both when he was fighting and in the two years since he last fought against Hooker. He said he’s hoping to return to an active fighting schedule, so long as his body allows for it.

"This is where I want to be," Iaquinta said. "The whole time I wanted to come back, but if I couldn't I was going to do whatever I was doing. The reason I was pushing myself through physical therapy, first I just wanted to feel good as a human being walking around in life. This is who I am. I'm a fighter at heart."

Usman vs. Covington 3?

Does Kamaru Usman want to beat Colby Covington on Saturday? He sure does.

But if he does win and make it 2-0 against the challenger to his welterweight title, does he want that to be the end of the Usman-Covington rivalry in the octagon? Not necessarily.

"I don't know because now I'm in the business of pay-per-view, so I don't know if I'll want him to that far back," Usman said. "Of course I want to go out there and stop him. But I want him to quickly make his way back so I can stop over again for a little bit more money."

Frankie at 40

Frankie Edgar turned 40 last month. And after 34 pro fights in 16 years, and 7 hours, 41 minutes and 19 seconds of fight time inside the UFC’s octagon, it’s only natural for the former lightweight champion to face questions about when he might lay the gloves down and call it a career.

"I’m going to be fighting on my deathbed," Edgar said.

Before that, though, Edgar will face bantamweight Marlon Vera on the main card on ESPN+ pay-per-view. Edgar (24-9-1) is coming off a loss to Cory Sandhagen last February, a knockout via flying knee 28 seconds into their bout. It was the third loss in his last four fights. The 28-year-old Vera (17-7-1) won a unanimous decision over Davey Grant in June after losing to Jose Aldo six months earlier.

Win or lose, Edgar said he has no plans to retire afterward.

"I'm a fighter, it's what I am, you know. I'm always going to fight in some way, shape or form."

A Billy Q-Burgos ‘banger’

Billy Quarantillo is coming off the best performance of his young UFC career. His reward? Exactly what he wanted – a tough fight against a top featherweight opponent ahead of him in line on that quest for UFC gold.

Quarantillo (16-3, 4-1 UFC), who grew up in Ransomville, New York, outside of Niagara Falls, faces No. 14 ranked Shane Burgos in a featherweight bout on the pay-per-view portion of the card.

"I’m always trying to put myself on a higher platform. You get, you know, more money and bigger paychecks, closer to the championship belt, the more people that know you," said Quarantillo, 32. "But I think there was a reason why they pumped us up to the main card. I think the bosses and I think the fans kind of know what to expect when you see a Shane Burgos fight. I'm kind of getting that reputation too. You know if it’s Billy Q fight, it’s going to be a banger."

The 30-year-old Burgos (13-3, 6-3), from Monroe, New York, is no slouch either when it comes to putting on a performance in the cage. Don’t get fooled by his two-fight losing streak, most recently by knockout to Edson Barboza last May

"I've had some pretty good fights so far in the UFC and I just want to keep adding to that," Quarantillo said. "This is the biggest platform that I've been on so far.

By Mark La Monica

mark.lamonica@newsday.comLaMonicaMark

Mark La Monica is a deputy sports editor at Newsday. He also covers mixed martial arts.