Dustin Poirier vs Michael Chandler ‘set for UFC 281 on November 12 at Madison Square Garden’

Dustin Poirier and Michael Chandler’s rumoured lightweight showdown has been pencilled in for November 12 at Madison Square Garden, according to reports.

Chandler was originally keen to lock horns with Poirier, who has been out of action since his defeat against Charles Oliviera last December, one month later before eventually agreeing to the earlier contest.

According to ESPN, the pair will now meet at UFC 281 instead after Hunter Campbell, the company’s Chief Business Officer, confirmed it will be taking place over three rounds on their pay-per-view card in New York.

Dustin Poirier and Michael Chandler’s lightweight showdown has been set for November 12

Contracts are yet to be signed by the fighters after being issued on Tuesday, but there are not expected to be any obstacles blocking Poirier and Chandler’s match-up at 155lbs.

Poirier will be looking to bounce back from his crushing submission defeat against Oliviera at UFC 269, where he failed to build on a three-fight win streak which included a pair of victories over Conor McGregor.

As for Chandler, the former Bellator champion has not been short of action since signing for the UFC last year, with wins against Tony Ferguson and Dan Hooker sandwiching defeats by Justin Gaethje and Oliviera.

In addition to his clash with Poirier, the 36-year-old has also put pen to paper on a new multi-year deal with the UFC.

Chandler, who has also penned a new multi-year deal with the UFC, knocked out Tony Ferguson with a brutal headkick in his last outing

Poirier, meanwhile, suffered defeat against Charles Oliviera at UFC 269 back in December

‘Michael couldn’t be happier with the new deal and he’s ready to put on a war at Madison Square Garden,’ said his longtime manager Dave Martin.

Chandler produced a strong contender for Knockout of the Year in his recent battle with Ferguson, flooring El Cucuy with a sensational head-kick which briefly disfigured his opponent’s face.

The American is now looking to build momentum against Poirier, whom he was involved in a heated confrontation with at UFC 276 over the summer.

UFC officials, security and bystanders stood between the pair to try and defuse the situation at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, with fan footage appearing to show Poirier label his rival a ‘fake mother*****r’.