Michael Chandler urged to retire by renowned coach and UFC analyst: “It passed him up, and he’s got to accept that”

One highly regarded MMA coach believes it’s time for UFC lightweight Michael Chandler to hang up his gloves.

Chandler has been known for his exciting fighting style throughout his 34-fight career. He’s had success inside the cage, having won Bellator gold three times. At the age of 40, Chandler hasn’t earned a win since 2022, which means the retirement calls have grown louder.

During an interview with MMAJunkie, Din Thomas said he hopes Chandler can realize that his prime days are over so that he can leave the sport with his health and dignity intact.

“Nah (I don’t want to see Chandler fight anymore),” Thomas said. “I think he’s got to make a decision on how he just wants to bow out gracefully. I think this comes down to him just trying to find a way to bow out gracefully and just, ‘Hey guys, I did the best I could, it wasn’t enough.’ And that’s a condition of reality, is that no one is promised anything. Hard work doesn’t promise you success, belief in yourself doesn’t promise you success, and he’s a classic case of it.

“We know he’s a guy who works hard and we know he’s a guy who believes in himself. At one point he was a very talented fighter. But it passed him up, and he’s got to accept that and just be able to bow out gracefully.”

Chandler is in the midst of a four-fight skid, and he has been stopped in three of those bouts. “Iron” recently competed against Mauricio Ruffy on the UFC Freedom 250 card. Chandler was battered and stopped in the opening frame via TKO courtesy of a spinning wheel kick.

Do you think Michael Chandler will end up retiring this year, or will he take another fight? Let us know what you think will happen in the comments below.