What’s Next For Michael Chandler?

November 19, 2024

3 weeks

Michael Chandler suffered a decision loss against Charles Oliveira at UFC 309, raising questions over his next steps.

That was the second time Chandler suffered a defeat against Oliveira. He was knocked out at UFC 262 in 2021 in their first fight. He took the Oliveira fight after Conor McGregor pulled out of their UFC 303 clash, which was meant for June 29. This was after The Notorious suffered a broken toe. Chandler only had five UFC fights before the Oliveira rematch, winning just two. He waited a significant amount of time for the McGregor fight, starting from their days as rivals on the TUF 31 series. The decision to take the Oliveira fight was an attempt to remain active, knowing that a win took him closer to a lightweight title shot.

Chandler’s Options

Meanwhile, there was also the prospect of facing McGregor later down the line, which would have made that fight even bigger with an Oliveira win. However, the loss raises serious question marks over where he goes next. He could try to right the wrong and rematch Oliveira in a trilogy. However, this is unlikely since Oliveira will target a rematch with Islam Makhachev. Oliveira lost out to the Russian in 2021, losing his UFC Lightweight title.

There is the opportunity to pursue a rematch with Dustin Poirier. The Diamond is coming off a loss against Makhachev at UFC 302 when he was submitted in the final round. Dustin and Chandler have been firing verbals against each other on social media. This was after Chandler suggested that Poirier should retire. However, Poirier has since then backtracked on those comments, stating that he wants a fight in his hometown of Louisiana before he walks away from the sport. Chandler has questioned whether Dustin would take another fight with him, even though Poirier already beat him at UFC 281 in 2022.

Equally, Chandler could try to pursue the McGregor fight. Conor is desperately looking for an opponent since he has not had a fight since 2021, when he lost to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264. The Irishman said he would be fighting Dan Hooker on February 1 in Saudi Arabia. However, the UFC has not made an announcement, which means this is unlikely. The Irishman is currently undergoing a trial following a civil lawsuit over sexual assault allegations. Dana White recently stated that McGregor is unlikely to fight until later next year.

White Reacts

Since Chandler fought at the back end of this year, he could very well be available to face McGregor in the summer. Alternatively, Chandler could walk away from the sport. He is 38 years old and has other things outside of the sport to keep himself occupied. He has his own YouTube channel and regularly comments on UFC fights, showing there is potential to pursue other MMA-related activities. However, Dana White has already said that Chandler is welcome in the UFC until he decides to retire.

“He’s like an Arturo Gatti. He’s one of those – win, lose or draw, you’re never bummed out at the end of a Michael Chandler fight. … [And] he’s always exciting, he’s always fun. The last round of that fight, he kept getting taken down. He got on his back. So when he got on his back at the end, he just stood up and started slamming him. “The kid always tries to win. He always comes to fight and Michael Chandler’s always going to have a home here. Until he decides to retire, Michael Chandler isn’t going anywhere,” White said