Dustin Poirier baffled by Michael Chandler’s welterweight tease: “I want to know what he’s fighting for”

Dustin Poirier is puzzled by Michael Chandler hinting at a possible move to 170 pounds, and would prefer seeing “Iron” hang up his gloves.

Chandler has long been know for his exciting fighting style, but many believe Father Time has caught up. Chandler has lost four straight bouts and he’s gone 1-6 in his last seven fights. In that stretch, the former three-time Bellator champion has been stopped four times.

In his latest effort on the UFC Freedom 250 card, Chandler was finished by Mauricio Ruffy in the opening frame. “Iron” hasn’t scored a victory since May 2022 when he knocked out Tony Ferguson with a front kick.

Recently, Chandler took to social media to say he was done “starving” himself, and he has begun to bulk up. Many took this as a welterweight tease, but Poirier hopped on the “Deep Waters” podcast and admitted he doesn’t feel it makes sense for Chandler to continue his prizefighting career (via MMAJunkie).

“With all due respect, we buried the hatchet and shook hands,” Poirier said. “But Michael Chandler, what are we doing?”

“The Diamond” then weighed in on the thought of Chandler possibly moving up to welterweight, and he thinks such a decision would make things worse for his former foe.

“I saw a thing, I don’t know if this is official news, but he said he might move up to welterweight,” Poirier said. “If 155ers are stopping you and you’re taking all this damage, what are 170ers going to do? He’s too short. He’s not long enough. I want to know what he’s fighting for.”

Poirier actually started Chandler’s rough skid when the two went to war on the UFC 281 card back in Nov. 2022. Poirier submitted Chandler in the third round via rear-naked choke inside Madison Square Garden in New York City. Both men earned “Fight of the Night” bonuses.

Do you think Michael Chandler would be best served retiring from pro MMA competition at this stage, or can he still be competitive to some degree? Drop your opinion in the comments below.