Michael Chandler vows comeback after UFC White House knockout

Michael Chandler broke his silence after his first-round knockout loss to Mauricio Ruffy at UFC White House, posting a lengthy video message that acknowledged the defeat while promising a return.

The former Bellator lightweight champion told fans he remains in good spirits despite the stoppage loss, his fourth straight in the UFC. "I'm happy. I'm healthy. I'm hard to kill. I'm impossible to kill," Chandler said in the social media post, per MMA Fighting. "I'm impossible to defeat because I am so truly blessed."

Chandler's Record Now 2-6 in UFC After Ruffy Loss

Chandler credited Ruffy's performance and detailed the physical toll from the fight, mentioning an ear injury sustained during the bout. "Hats off to Mauricio Ruffy," he said, according to the report. "He was a tough puzzle to solve, to get going in there. He's long, he's fast, he's accurate, he's a good striker."

The 38-year-old now holds a 2-6 record under the UFC banner, a stark contrast to his 18-5 run in Bellator. His current skid includes losses to Paddy Pimblett, Charles Oliveira, and Dustin Poirier. Despite the rough stretch, Chandler made no mention of retirement in his statement.

Instead, he emphasized preparation and resilience. Chandler insisted his training camp with coaches Henry Hooft, Tywon Claxton, Robbie Lawler, and Corey Peacock left no stone unturned. "We were prepared. We just fell short," he said. "It's not about taking the losses; it's how you respond to the losses."

Chandler closed the video thanking supporters and pledging to "move forward" in what he called "typical Chandler fashion." No timeline for his next fight has been announced.

Photo: Sexto Round / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0

Original reporting:

• mmafighting.com — Michael Chandler makes first statement since UFC White House loss, vows to bounce back: ‘I’m impossible to kill’ | MMA Fighting