Michael Chandler News
Beneil Dariush decides against waiting for UFC title shot, calls for bouts with Dustin Poirier, Michael Chandler, Rafael Fiziev, and Charles Oliveira: "I just want to fight"
Josh Evanoff - November 1, 2022
UFC lightweight contender Beneil Dariush is just ready to be active. The Iranian fighter is fresh off his clash with Mateusz Gamrot at UFC 280 last month. The fight was an important one for Dariush, as he hadn’t competed since his win over Tony Ferguson last May. Despite the time away, he didn’t miss a beat.
Michael Chandler admits Islam Makhachev is “the real deal” after dominant performance against Charles Oliveira at UFC 280
Harry Kettle - November 1, 2022
Michael Chandler has admitted that Islam Makhachev is the real deal following his win over Charles Oliveira at UFC 280. In the main event of last month’s Abu Dhabi PPV, Islam Makhachev finally became UFC lightweight champion. He did so by submitting Charles Oliveira in, simply put, dominant fashion.
Michael Chandler believes it's "crazy" that Charles Oliveira is the betting underdog against Islam Makhachev, hopes to face the winner
Cole Shelton - October 6, 2022
Michael Chandler is surprised that Charles Oliveira is the betting underdog against Islam Makhachev. Oliveira and Makhachev are set to headline UFC 280 for the vacant lightweight title in one of the most anticipated lightweight title fights in quite some time. The Brazilian is coming off a submission win over Justin Gaethje but missed weight and was stripped of his belt. Prior to that, he submitted Dustin Poirier and knocked out Michael Chandler to establish himself as 155’s new kingpin. Makhachev, meanwhile, hasn’t fought a top-10 opponent yet which is why Chandler is surprised that the Russian is listed as the betting favorite.
Eddie Alvarez expresses interest in Michael Chandler trilogy fight: "Everybody wants to see that fight"
Josh Evanoff - September 29, 2022
Former UFC lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez is down to run it back with Michael Chandler. ‘The Underground King’ was released from ONE Championship earlier this week. The decision was Alvarez’s own, as he wanted to end his career in the United States. The former lightweight champion ended his run in Asia with a 1-2 (1 NC) record.
Islam Makhachev responds after Michael Chandler suggests his praise is premature
Harry Kettle - September 27, 2022
Islam Makhachev has used social media to laugh off recent criticism from fellow UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler. Next month at UFC 280, Islam Makhachev will finally attempt to capture the UFC lightweight championship when he battles Charles Oliveira for the strap in a highly-anticipated main event clash.
Michael Chandler takes aim at "premature praise" for Islam Makhachev: "We just can’t say that he’s that good yet"
Josh Evanoff - September 26, 2022
UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler believes we need to pump the breaks on praise for Islam Makhachev. The Russian has been out of action since his first-round TKO over Bobby Green in February. That victory, along with wins over names such as Dan Hooker and Arman Tsarukyan, has secured him a title shot. Makhachev is set to face Charles Oliveira next month at UFC 280 with vacant lightweight gold on the line.
Michael Chandler admits fighting Dustin Poirier "scares" him: "You get caught with Dustin Poirier's four-ounce glove, you're probably going out"
Cole Shelton - September 22, 2022
Michael Chandler says he is a bit scared to fight Dustin Poirier as he knows the danger he poses but that is what excites him. Chandler and Poirier will finally settle their differences at UFC 281 in a highly-anticipated lightweight fight. Since Chandler has signed with the UFC, the two have taken shots at one another and when they share the Octagon with one another, Chandler knows Poirier has the power to KO him with one shot.
Michael Chandler urges Tony Ferguson to take time off after Nate Diaz loss: "It is pretty crazy he fought this past weekend"
Josh Evanoff - September 20, 2022
UFC lightweight Michael Chandler believes that Tony Ferguson badly needs time off. ‘El Cucuy’ was last in action at UFC 279 earlier this month. Ferguson was originally set to face Li Jingliang in a short-notice bout up at welterweight. However, after Khamzat Chimaev missed weight for the headliner, the former champion was bumped up.
Michael Chandler believes he will earn title shot with win over Dustin Poirier: "I'm the next guy in line"
Josh Evanoff - September 14, 2022
UFC lightweight Michael Chandler believes he’s on the path to a title shot. ‘Iron’ has been out of action since his fight with Tony Ferguson in May. In that outing, Chandler had to rally back from a first-round knockdown to secure the win. In the second frame, he landed a massive head kick to finish ‘El Cucuy’.
Tony Ferguson not dwelling on Michael Chandler knockout loss ahead of UFC 279: "You get the f*ck back up, and do it again"
Josh Evanoff - September 8, 2022
UFC welterweight contender Tony Ferguson isn’t worried about his return to the octagon. ‘El Cucuy’ has been out of action since his fight with Michael Chandler in May. In that outing, Ferguson was brutally knocked out in round two. The loss was his fourth in a row and the first time that the former interim lightweight champion had been put out cold.
Michael Chandler reacts after fight with Dustin Poirier is made official for UFC 281
Harry Kettle - September 8, 2022
Michael Chandler has given his thoughts on his fight with Dustin Poirier being officially confirmed by the UFC. After a great deal of speculation in recent months, it’s finally been confirmed that Michael Chandler will battle Dustin Poirier at UFC 281. The pair will collide in a lightweight showdown with the contest going down at Madison Square Garden, offering both men a big opportunity to make a statement in the world’s most famous arena.
Dustin Poirier vs. Michael Chandler official for UFC 281
Cole Shelton - September 7, 2022
Dustin Poirier vs. Michael Chandler has been made official. For months, Poirier and Chandler have been going back and forth with one another hoping a fight would happen. They were linked to facing one another at UFC 281 and now according to UFC Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell – who told ESPN – the bout has been made official for the November pay-per-view card. The fight will also only be three rounds.
Michael Chandler opens as betting underdog against Dustin Poirier in slated UFC 281 matchup
Harry Kettle - August 5, 2022
Michael Chandler has opened as the betting underdog in his proposed UFC 281 showdown against Dustin Poirier. For many months now we’ve heard talk of Michael Chandler and Dustin Poirier potentially squaring off following their many interactions with one another across interviews, social media and in person. Recently, word came through that a lightweight tussle between them was actually being targeted for UFC 281, which is set to take place at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Dustin Poirier vs. Michael Chandler targeted for UFC 281
Cole Shelton - August 3, 2022
Dustin Poirier and Michael Chandler will finally be fighting. Ever since Chandler signed with the UFC, the two have been linked to fighting one another. Now, according to Ariel Helwani, the promotion is targeting Poirier vs. Chandler to take place at UFC 281 on November 12 in Madison Square Garden in New York. The deal has not been signed but is trending in the right direction, Poirier’s team wants the contest to be five-rounds according to reports.
Michael Chandler believes “gangster” Nate Diaz is in tough against Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 279: “I think Diaz is gonna be outmatched in pretty much every aspect of the game”
Harry Kettle - July 29, 2022
UFC lightweight Michael Chandler has given his thoughts on the upcoming match-up between Khamzat Chimaev and Nate Diaz. At UFC 279 on September 10, Khamzat Chimaev and Nate Diaz will collide in one of the biggest pay-per-view main events of the year so far for the promotion. It’s considered by many to be a bit of a mismatch but as per recent reports, Diaz himself requested this contest and wanted to make it clear that going after ‘Borz’ was his idea.
Michael Chandler expects “total package” Paddy Pimblett to be “nipping” at his heels in the near future
Harry Kettle - July 27, 2022
UFC star Michael Chandler has explained why he expects Paddy Pimblett to continue rising up through the division. Last Saturday night at UFC London, Paddy Pimblett went a step further to silencing his critics by submitting Jordan Leavitt in the second round of their highly anticipated clash. ‘The Baddy’ moved to 3-0 in the UFC and proved, once again, that he’s able to handle the pressure when the lights are on bright.
Michael Chandler is still focused on fighting Conor McGregor his next time out: “That Poirier fight is going to be there forever”
Susan Cox - July 21, 2022
Michael Chandler is still focused on fighting Conor McGregor his next time out. Michael Chandler (23-7 MMA) is just coming off a knockout victory over Tony Ferguson (25-7 MMA) at UFC 274 in May of this year. Prior to the win, ‘Iron’ had 2 losses in a row, to Justin Gaethje (23-4 MMA) and Charles Oliveira (33-8 MMA) respectively.
Michael Chandler says he’s “been trying” to get a fight with Nate Diaz
Harry Kettle - July 19, 2022
UFC star Michael Chandler has claimed he’s been trying to get a fight with Nate Diaz as he continues to push for a return to the cage. Ever since entering the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Michael Chandler has done a pretty good job of keeping us entertained. From knocking out Dan Hooker and Tony Ferguson to having close wars with Justin Gaethje and Charles Oliveira, the former Bellator champion knows how to put on a show.