Michael Chandler News
Vacant UFC lightweight title fight set for UFC 262 featuring Michael Chandler vs. Charles Oliveira
Drake Riggs - March 18, 2021
It’s official, Khabib Nurmagomedov has retired and vacated his lightweight crown. Now the UFC moves on to Michael Chandler vs. Charles Oliveira. Late Thursday night a wave of news broke from the UFC. Perhaps the most notable of the bunch being UFC President Dana White conceding defeat to Nurmagomedov insisting on calling it a career at 29-0 after a meeting in Las Vegas.
Michael Chandler has a sneaky suspicion that Khabib Nurmagomedov will retire with a record of "29-and-Chandler"
Adam D Martin - March 18, 2021
Michael Chandler has a sneaky suspicion that UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov will retire with a record of “29-and-Chandler.” Chandler is one of the top lightweights in the world who is currently vying for a chance to win the UFC’s 155lbs belt, one that is currently held by Nurmagomedov. However, the Russian has said for the last six months now that he is planning on hanging up his gloves. That hasn’t stopped UFC president Dana White from trying his best to convince Nurmagomedov to fight again, but so far we haven’t heard one way or another his plans.
Report | Justin Gaethje returns to the Octagon against Michael Chandler
Alfredo Zullino - March 15, 2021
An unbelievably exciting clash is in the works for the lightweight division as former title contender Justin Gaethje is going to lock horns with newly-signed Michael Chandler. The news was originally reported by ESPN journalist Ariel Helwani on Monday, during his podcast with former light heavyweight and heavyweight belt-holder Daniel Cormier.
Dan Hooker explains how his new "ugly-ass record" will allow him to take risks other guys aren't willing to take
Christopher Taylor - February 25, 2021
Perennial UFC lightweight contender Dan Hooker believes his new “ugly-ass record” will allow him to take risks other guys aren’t willing to take. Hooker (20-10 MMA) suffered his second straight loss at January’s UFC 257 event, this after being knocked out by Michael Chandler in the very first round.
UFC under fire for airing Black History Month special starring Michael Chandler
Tom Taylor - February 22, 2021
The UFC is under fire for running a Black History Month special starring lightweight contender Michael Chandler. February is recognized as Black History Month in the United States and several other countries. The UFC has already promoted three events in February, with one more on the calendar before the month concludes.
Video: Michael Chandler reviews Dustin Poirier's hot sauce
Tom Taylor - February 8, 2021
Michael Chandler has been chomping at the bit for a fight with top UFC lightweight contender Dustin Poirier, but that didn’t stop him from giving an honest review of Poirier’s hot sauce. Chandler and Poirier both picked up big wins at UFC 257 last month, knocking out Dan Hooker and Conor McGregor respectively. Since then, Chandler has been angling for a fight with Poirier, but Poirier has expressed disinterest in the matchup.
Eddie Alvarez shares his thoughts on the UFC debut of former rival Michael Chandler
Chris Taylor - February 6, 2021
Eddie Alvarez tuned in to watch his former rival Michael Chandler make his Octagon debut against Dan Hooker at UFC 257. Alvarez and Chandler have a storied history having competed for the Bellator lightweight world title on two occasions. Their first encounter occurred at Bellator 58 in November of 2011 where Chandler dethroned Alvarez with a fourth round submission.
Michael Chandler reacts after Dustin Poirier rejects lightweight title fight: "He might end up just being a hot sauce salesman"
Christopher Taylor - February 4, 2021
Michael Chandler thinks it is “a little bit weird” that Dustin Poirier isn’t interested in fighting for the UFC lightweight championship next. Chandler and Poirier both earned sensational stoppage victories at last months UFC 257 pay-per-view event in Abu Dhabi.
Michael Chandler: 'Ben Askren knocks out Jake Paul, seventh round'
Drake Riggs - February 1, 2021
Michael Chandler will be aiding his fellow former Bellator champion Ben Askren in preparation for his Jake Paul boxing match — and the new UFC lightweight title contender is confident in how the contest will play out. “I’m telling you, Ben Askren’s gonna beat Jake Paul,” Chandler told ESPN. “Listen, you can say Ben Askren’s boxing isn’t that good, and it’s not, I will agree with you on that. But when it comes to dirty boxing, under hooks, pushing, pulling, grabbing heads. I mean, you’re gonna be in there for eight rounds straight, 16-24 minutes plus a minute in between, Jake Paul will get worn down, Ben Askren won’t. Depending on the ruleset, depending on the referee, depending on how quickly they’re going to break ’em up, Ben is gonna wear on ’em, close the distance, then it’s gonna be really hard to punch Ben Askren when he’s up in your face, pulling on you, punching you to the body, punching you to the head. Albeit, they may be pitter-patter… Ben Askren knocks out Jake Paul, seventh round.”
Ali Abdelaziz confirms Justin Gaethje open to fighting Michael Chandler
Adam Martin - February 1, 2021
MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz confirmed that Justin Gaethje is interested in fighting Michael Chandler for his next fight inside the Octagon. With UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov set to retire any day now and vacate his belt in the process, the race for the next lightweight title fight has become fierce. Dustin Poirier seems to be the heir to the throne following his knockout win over Conor McGregor, but he said this week that right now he is willing to sit back and wait for the right opportunity. That means fighters like Gaethje, Chandler, and Charles Oliveira are all in the mix for the next vacant lightweight title fight.
Michael Chandler wants Justin Gaethje next to prove who's the most violent fighter in the UFC
Cole Shelton - February 1, 2021
Michael Chandler is hoping to prove he’s the most violent fighter in the UFC and to do that he knows he needs to face Justin Gaethje. When Gaethje and Alvarez fought at UFC 218, many fans said the fight would determine who is the most violent fighter in the UFC. Alvarez ended up winning the fight by TKO, but after he left the promotion, and Gaethje went on a KO streak and many considered him the most violent man in the Las Vegas-based promotion.
Charles Oliveira reportedly declines UFC 258 non-title fight with Michael Chandler
Tom Taylor - February 1, 2021
Charles Oliveira has reportedly turned down a short-notice offer to meet Michael Chandler in a non-title fight on the upcoming UFC 258 card. UFC 258 is scheduled for February 13 in Las Vegas. According to a report from AG Fight, the UFC attempted to schedule a last-minute lightweight contender fight between Oliveira and Chandler for the rapidly approaching card, but Oliveira declined because there would be no title up for grabs.
Dustin Poirier suggests Charles Oliveira fights Michael Chandler for vacant lightweight title
Adam Martin - January 31, 2021
UFC lightweight contender Dustin Poirier suggested that Charles Oliveira and Michael Chandler fight each other for the vacant title. The race for the UFC lightweight title is high in the wake of Poirier’s knockout win over Conor McGregor at UFC 257. With UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov almost assuredly set to retire in the coming weeks and vacate the belt, Poirier — the self-named “uncrowned world champion” — is fully expected to be one half of whatever the next lightweight title fight is. His opponent, however, is still up in the air, with McGregor, Chandler, Oliveira, and Nate Diaz all realistic options.
Dan Hooker takes to social media for the first time since being KO'd by Michael Chandler
Chris Taylor - January 30, 2021
Dan Hooker has made his first social media appearance since suffering a brutal knockout loss to Michael Chandler at UFC 257. Hooker (20-10 MMA) squared off with the former Bellator champion in the co-headliner of last weekend’s pay-per-view with hopes of spoiling Chandler’s Octagon debut.
Michael Chandler gets shoutout from Ric Flair after UFC 257 promo
Tom Taylor - January 29, 2021
Michael Chandler got a personal Zoom call from pro wrestling legend Ric Flair after making his Octagon debut at UFC 257. Chandler couldn’t have looked better in his first UFC bout, knocking out Dan Hooker in the first-round to usurp the No. 4 spot in the promotion’s lightweight rankings.
Michael Chandler believes people can't "overlook" Ben Askren against Jake Paul
Cole Shelton - January 27, 2021
Michael Chandler knows Jake Paul picked Ben Askren for a reason, but he believes people can’t overlook “Funky” in their fight. On April 17, Paul is set for his third professional boxing match against Askren in what should be a very intriguing bout. This will be the first time Paul fights a legit fighter, as his other two wins are over a YouTuber and an ex-NBA player.
Patricio Pitbull: Michael Chandler and Eddie Alvarez success showing the "power of Bellator"
Adam Martin - January 26, 2021
Patricio Pitbull says that the success of Michael Chandler and Eddie Alvarez in the UFC is showing the “power of Bellator.” Chandler had an amazing UFC debut last weekend at UFC 257 when he brutally knocked out the typically-durable Dan Hooker with punches in the first round. Heading into the UFC, there were many question marks about the former three-time Bellator lightweight champion, but Chandler’s win over Hooker showed that he is an elite fighter. And if you think Chandler is good, just remember Pitbull knocked him out in June 2019. Both men are proof Bellator is home to some of the sport’s elite.
Coach discusses Dan Hooker’s loss to Michael Chandler: “On any particular day, anyone can win, anyone can be champion”
Harry Kettle - January 26, 2021
Dan Hooker’s head coach Eugene Bareman has given his thoughts on Hooker’s devastating loss to Michael Chandler at UFC 257. Hooker was unable to get back on the winning trail against Chandler on Saturday night as he suffered a first round TKO that massively sets him back in his quest to win the UFC Lightweight Championship.