Michael Chandler admits that the narrative surrounding him that he’s a cheater within the UFC is a bit robust to swallow, however he is aware of who he’s when he appears within the mirror.
Chandler is about to compete this Saturday within the five-round co-main occasion of UFC 314 when he faces Paddy Pimblett in Miami. The previous Bellator champion has heard the dishonest accusations following his Madison Sq. Backyard losses to Dustin Poirier and, most just lately, Charles Oliveira at UFC 309.
Forward of the large light-weight bout, Chandler was requested in regards to the accusations.
“I imply, the narrative is hard, man,” Chandler advised MMA Combating. “Individuals don’t actually know me. Except you’re in my inside circle, you don’t know who I actually am outdoors of [being] in entrance of the digital camera. Individuals have their sneaky suspicions that I play good in entrance of the digital camera, and I’m a foul man behind the digital camera. You’re at all times going to have these accusations, proper?
“However I do know who I’m, and I do know who I’m at my core; I’m a man who tries to do issues proper, tries to deal with folks proper, do issues with honor and respect. So the dishonest narrative is just a little robust for me, but additionally, it’s all a part of the courtroom of public opinion, man.”
Chandler is 2-4 in his six octagon appearances, however has picked up a bonus in 5 of them. “Iron” seeks his first win in almost three years when he makes his first 2025 stroll to the cage.
In his most up-to-date outing, Chandler misplaced a five-round choice to Oliveira in a rematch this previous November, and almost pulled off a surprising comeback win in Spherical 5. Oliveira was capable of outlast a barrage from Chandler — together with quite a few photographs many believed had been to the again of Oliveira’s head, though referee Keith Peterson didn’t problem any warnings.
Nonetheless, the dishonest narrative returned.
“Did I seize Dustin Poirier’s mouthpiece? Sure, I did, as a result of I believed it was his chin,” Chandler mentioned. “I’ve already addressed that one. Issues occur in a combat. Are you going to succeed in over and seize the cage? Are you going to get your fingers within the glove? Yeah. These issues are going to occur in a combat.
“Within the final combat, Charles Oliveira dug his chin so deep into my eye socket that I believed I used to be going to go blind, which is unlawful. It’s a watch gouge, proper? He was grabbing my gloves when he was attempting to choke me. These items occur if you’re inside the cage. I’d by no means say that Charles Oliveira is a cheater. His physique is reacting and doing issues with out his mind’s permission. You’re in combat or flight. Issues occur. So it’s a tricky narrative.”
Previous to combat week, Pimblett was additionally requested about whether or not or not he believed Chandler bent the principles, saying that it’s on the referee to make a name if guidelines are being damaged — and likewise referenced a latest quote from Poirier, saying he would’ve bit off Chandler’s fingers if he didn’t put on a mouthguard throughout their UFC 281 matchup.
Chandler appreciated Pimblett having extra enjoyable with the narrative, though, the thrilling 155-pound fighter observed not all lightweights have had the identical perspective.
“I respect Paddy for not making a giant deal out of it,” Chandler mentioned. “I imply, I feel it’s an indication of weak point if you begin speaking a couple of man dishonest. Probably the most fascinating one to me was Justin Gaethje. Justin Gaethje is a savage and, like, calling me a cheater. I’m like, ‘Dude, come on, man.’ It’s just a little little bit of an indication of weak point.
“However both approach, issues occur in there. The followers aren’t going to love every thing that you just do. Followers aren’t gonna such as you 90 p.c of the time ,anyway, so it doesn’t actually matter. So we’ll simply go away it at that. I’m doing precisely what I really feel mandatory within the combat. The referees, in the event that they inform me to cease, I’m going to cease. There’s a whole lot of issues that you just do contained in the octagon that you just don’t even actually understand you’re doing and it’s the ref’s job to inform you.
“So we’ll see how these subsequent couple of fights play out.”
