Michael Chandler News

Michael Chandler, UFC, Black History Month
Michael Chandler

Michael Chandler plans to steal Alex Volkanovski’s title shot with “undeniable” performance against Dustin Poirier at UFC 281

Susan Cox - November 10, 2022

Michael Chandler plans to steal Alex Volkanovski’s title shot with an ‘undeniable’ performance against Dustin Poirier at UFC 281. Michael Chandler is speaking out ahead of this Saturday’s fight at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Dustin Poirier, Michael Chandler
Exclusive MMA Interviews

UFC 281 | Pro fighters make their picks for Dustin Poirier vs. Michael Chandler

Cole Shelton - November 10, 2022

On the main card of UFC 281, a highly-anticipated lightweight bout goes down as Dustin Poirier takes on Michael Chandler. Heading into the fight, Poirier is a -230 favorite with the former Bellator champ being a +176 underdog on FanDuel. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro-fighters to get their prediction for the scrap. The pros expect Poirier to get it done – and likely by finish – in a very fan-friendly fight.

Dustin Poirier, Michael Chandler
Michael Chandler

Michael Chandler hunting for a finish against Dustin Poirier at UFC 281: "He's not a crazy hard puzzle to solve"

Josh Evanoff - November 8, 2022

UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler is hunting for a finish this weekend. ‘Iron’ has been out of action since his knockout victory over Tony Ferguson in May. The win was an important one for the former Bellator champion, as it snapped a two-fight losing streak. Chandler was previously defeated by Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje.

Dustin Poirier

Dan Hooker previews UFC 281 lightweight clash between Michael Chandler and Dustin Poirier: "Chandler has a disregard for his own personal safety"

Josh Evanoff - November 7, 2022

Dan Hooker believes Michael Chandler and Dustin Poirier are going to put on a show at UFC 281. The UFC’s lightweight division is in a state of flux. Last month, Islam Makhachev became the 155-pound champion, ending Charles Oliveira’s reign with a second-round submission. Following that win, the Russian called for a clash with Alexander Volkanovski next.

Michael Bisping
Michael Chandler

Michael Bisping shares prediction for “The people’s main event” at UFC 281: “He has been shown to be a little bit chinny”

Susan Cox - November 3, 2022

Michael Bisping is sharing his prediction for ‘The people’s main event’ between Michael Chandler and Dustin Poirier at UFC 281. UFC 281 takes place on Saturday, November 12, 2022, at the Madison Square Garden in New York.

Beneil Dariush
Dustin Poirier

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.

Khabib Nurmagomedov, Islam Makhachev, UFC, MMA
Islam Makhachev

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.

Charles Oliveira. Michael Chandler
UFC

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.

Dustin Poirier, Michael Chandler
Michael Chandler

Dustin Poirier reveals he hoped for five-rounds against Michael Chandler at UFC 281: "The better fighter usually wins in the distance"

Josh Evanoff - September 27, 2022

Former UFC interim lightweight champion Dustin Poirier wanted his UFC 281 return to be five rounds. ‘The Diamond’ has been out of action since his clash with Charles Oliveira last December. In the lightweight title bout, Poirier lost by third-round submission. The defeat snapped a three-fight winning streak which comprised of wins over Conor McGregor and Dan Hooker.

Islam Makhachev
Michael Chandler

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

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.

Dustin Poirier, Michael Chandler
Michael Chandler

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.

Nate Diaz

Michael Chandler believes Nate Diaz's post-fight comments signal a return to the UFC: "It goes to show, this is the place to be"

Josh Evanoff - September 16, 2022

UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler believes Nate Diaz will return to the promotion. The Stockton native is fresh off his UFC 279 headlining role last Saturday. In that outing, Diaz was originally expected to face Khamzat Chimaev in the main event. However, after ‘Borz’ badly missed weight, Tony Ferguson was bumped to the headliner.

Dustin Poirier, Michael Chandler
Michael Chandler

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
Tony Ferguson

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, Benson Henderson
Michael Chandler

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.

Michael Chandler
Michael Chandler

Michael Chandler questions if Dustin Poirier still considers himself one of the best in world: “We all know what going after a fight against Nate Diaz means”

Harry Kettle - August 8, 2022

Michael Chandler has questioned whether or not Dustin Poirier still believes he’s one of the best fighters in the world. The introduction of Michael Chandler to the UFC family has certainly been entertaining. In addition to being in four incredibly fun fights with a 2-2 record, he’s also a real ‘company man’ who doesn’t shy away from any challenge that comes his way.

Michael Chandler, UFC, Black History Month
Michael Chandler

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.