SUMMARY
- Michael Chandler known for his Elite striking, knockout power, and high aggression never fails to put up a show for the fans.
- Previously, Chandler was also part of The Ultimate Fighter season 31 as a coach against former UFC double champion Conor McGregor.
Michael Chandler is an American mixed martial artist competing in the lightweight division of the UFC. The former three-time Bellator Lightweight Champion has been an explosive force since his debut at UFC 257 against Dan Hooker, winning via first-round TKO.
In a short span, Michael Chandler faced a series of elite lightweights, including names such as Dustin Poirer, Justin Gaethje, Charles Oliveira, and Tony Ferguson. The lightweight is one of the most entertaining prospects in the UFC today.
Michael Chandler, known for his elite striking, knockout power, and high aggression, never fails to put on a show for the fans. With just five fights in the UFC, Chandler was awarded two Performance of the Night and two Fight of the Night bonuses. The UFC awarded his bout against Justin Gaethje the Fight of the Year for 2021.
Previously, Chandler was also part of The Ultimate Fighter season 31 as a coach against former UFC double champion Conor McGregor. The show formats with two teams coached by established UFC fighters competing for a UFC contract. It is followed by the coaches fighting it out at a scheduled UFC event. The show garnered a lot of attention for the UFC and the fighters.
Chandler’s team was exceptional and dominated the rival team throughout the season. The lightweights were supposed to face off against each other. Although a lot of word was exchanged and buzz was created around the two fighters, there was never a scheduled fight announced by the UFC.
Imagine saying it, “the greatest comeback in combat sports history” and then doing a whole sham of a documentary about it, and then never coming back. @TheNotoriousMMA
–
McGregor FORGOTTEN.— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) December 29, 2023
This didn’t sit well with Michael Chandler, who was open about his disagreement and recently took it out in a tweet. Chandler tweeted, “Imagine saying it, “the greatest comeback in combat sports history” and then doing a whole sham of a documentary about it, and then never coming back” tagging ‘The Notorious‘. This was a diss about Conor’s inactivity and his Netflix documentary.
Conor McGregor ridicules Michael Chandler’s call out to anticipated UFC Fight
Michael Chandler last fought against Dustin Poirier at UFC 281, losing via submission but putting on a great fight and winning the fight of the night bonus. Since then, the 37-year-old has been inactive, mostly due to the delay in his anticipated fight against McGregor. The conversation began when Michael called out McGregor in an iconic post-fight speech at UFC 274.
The ‘Iron’ made it clear that he wanted to face the major money draw for UFC next and was willing to step up to welterweight for the same. Initially, it was respectful between the two UFC fighters but later turned into bad blood and trash-talking during the TUF season.
Recently, Chandler even posted that he was done waiting for the fight, sitting out of action for an entire year. Also willing to face any other opponent, calling out UFC Welterweight Nate Diaz. No initial confirmation has been done yet, although he is keen to make a place on the much-awaited UFC 300 Card in April.
View this post on Instagram
Replying to Chandler’s tweet, blaming McGregor for the delay, claiming him to be afraid, and just creating publicity. McGregor subtly retweeted with his iconic “Who the f*** is this guy?” phrase. Conor is often known to take shots at UFC fighters and celebrities through his ‘X’ account and never shies away from a to-and-from banter.
Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler trading shots on X 👀 pic.twitter.com/9cli4bPA4m
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) December 29, 2023
Further ‘The Notorious’ even went on to mockingly recommend that Chandler should face Brazilian lightweight Renato Moicano in a later deleted tweet. Many believe McGregor’s inactivity could be due to his recovery from a broken tibia. This was incurred during his fight against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264.
Also, another major reason for McGregor’s inactivity was the involvement of the anti-doping agency USADA. Due to its policy of a minimum 6-month prior entry into the testing pool before a bout for the fighters. This has been stated to be the cause behind McGregor’s delayed return, which was initially planned for 2023.
Well there you have it from the horse’s mouth – “I supposed to be back in December”.
So USADA were correct – Conor McGregor was trying to cheat and come back before he was in the USADA testing pool for 6 months 🕵🏻♂️#UFC296 #UFC297 pic.twitter.com/9gbNYuDf9P
— Nonlinear Horse (@NonlinearHorse) December 24, 2023
Now with USADA out of the picture after the end of its partnership with UFC. It could be easier for the UFC Megastar to make his comeback. The UFC is highly interested in their most valued prospect to make a spot on the main card for UFC 300. This could be with high chances against Chandler.