Michael Chandler was confident about securing a victory in the rematch against Charles Oliveira at UFC 309 last November, believing it would pave his way to a lightweight title opportunity in 2025.
However, the fight concluded with a unanimous decision win for Oliveira, who dominated with takedowns and control throughout the match. This loss was particularly crushing for Chandler, especially after a two-year wait for a Conor McGregor fight that never happened. He had hoped that defeating Oliveira would compensate for the missed McGregor opportunity and put him back on the title path. The defeat triggered self-doubt, making him question if his championship aspirations were finally out of reach.
Chandler shared that he broke down in tears with his wife after the fight, expressing his fear that it might have been his last chance at a title shot. He acknowledged the difficulty of earning such an opportunity in the UFC and felt he had wasted it.
Despite the intense disappointment, Chandler faced the setback and came to terms with the unpredictable nature of the sport.
Even in the face of personal doubts, Chandler didn’t avoid discussing his performance against Oliveira. He agreed to interviews soon after the fight, a time when many fighters prefer to avoid the spotlight after a loss.
Chandler admitted that this loss was the most profound disappointment of his life, surpassing even previous defeats in his career. He contrasted his current approach to dealing with losses with his earlier days when he would hide after setbacks. He now accepts losses as part of the sport, a lesson learned from past experiences.
This particular loss to Oliveira was especially hard because Chandler was so certain of his victory and believed it would set him up for a title run.
Chandler explained his mindset, stating he was convinced he was meant to lose the first Oliveira fight, earn a rematch for the number one contender spot, and then challenge Islam Makhachev for the title. He was completely sure of winning the second Oliveira fight.
Now, having processed the loss, Chandler feels a renewed determination. He has moved past the initial disappointment and sees it as just another setback to overcome.
Shortly after the Oliveira fight, Chandler accepted a fight against the rising star Paddy Pimblett at UFC 314 in April. While Pimblett is less experienced against top-tier UFC fighters, Chandler accepted the challenge without hesitation.
Although on paper, this fight might seem like a step down in competition for Chandler, he finds it an interesting and necessary matchup.
Chandler believes that sometimes fighters need to compete against opponents outside the top rankings for various reasons: to give opportunities to rising fighters, to keep the division active, and to avoid only accepting fights against top-ranked opponents. He mentions examples of other top fighters facing lower-ranked opponents and emphasizes that such matchups are a natural part of MMA. Chandler sees the Pimblett fight as a chance to demonstrate the skill gap between fighters he has faced and those outside the top echelon.
Despite stating he has no personal animosity towards Pimblett, Chandler recognizes the significance of this fight for him.
For Pimblett, defeating Chandler would be a major career advancement, proving his ability to compete with former champions and top-ranked fighters. While a win might not elevate Chandler’s ranking significantly, it provides him with an outlet for the frustration and aggression built up since the Oliveira loss, which he is eager to unleash on April 12.
Chandler acknowledges the risk in fighting a lower-ranked opponent but believes it’s an opportunity to remind fans of his capabilities and highlight the different levels within the lightweight division.
He emphasizes that someone will “pay” for the pain he experienced after the Oliveira loss, and unfortunately for Pimblett, he is the one who will face Chandler’s pent-up frustration.
Chandler has also reconsidered his pursuit of the UFC title. While the Oliveira loss was devastating, he now understands the dynamic nature of the sport and believes a dominant win over Pimblett could quickly change his trajectory.
Chandler points to Dustin Poirier’s recent title shot after defeating Benoit Saint Denis as an example of how quickly things can change in MMA. He also reflects on his own unexpected title shot upon entering the UFC, highlighting the role of circumstances and opportunities in the sport.
