Michael Chandler is set to take on Justin Gaethje at UFC 268. The bout is largely considered a number one contenders bout and the winner is expected to face whoever comes out with the lightweight belt at UFC 269.

Michael Chandler spoke to MMAFighting about Justin Gaethje and the fact that he believes Chandler has gotten preferential treatment since getting into the UFC. It stems from how quickly Chandler got a title shot and how long it took Gaethje to get one.

“Justin Gaethje got the same amount of preferential treatment. The same amount of Dana White privilege. Whatever you want to call it,” Michael Chandler said. “He came from outside the UFC, came in, got a top five guy right away. If he would have beat Eddie Alvarez, he would have gotten a title shot. He lost to Eddie Alvarez, which made him go fight a couple more fights. He’s been in some big commercials. He’s been in big fights. He’s headlined cards. He and I have had very similar roads. I think he deserved it because he earned it. He probably in his heart of hearts believes that I deserved it and earned it but he needs to convince himself that I am seeking attention or I’m an attention seeker and I’m a fake and a phony and whatever things he has said.

“More than anything, a guy who doesn’t deserve the treatment that I’ve gotten thus far but you’ll find the older you get and the longer you do things, those who ask and those who say yes to opportunities, usually end up making it further than those that don’t or those that fight the powers that be. I’m not here to fight the powers that be. I’m here to fight the guys that they put me up against and Justin Gaethje’s the next one. Whether he loves me, whether he hates me, I know he respects me.”

Whether they agree on who is privileged and who gets preferential treatment or not, one thing's for sure, they are going to put on an exciting fight. Michael Chandler and Justin Gaethje are known for putting on entertaining fights.