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Michael Chandler didn’t have the best weekend, losing his lightweight belt to Brent Primus after a doctor’s stoppage for leg injury, though he’s determined to see the bright side of his situation. New York, however, should not expect him back anytime soon.
After doing him like this, can you blame Chandler?
Welcome to New York MMA Athletic commission @arielhelwani pic.twitter.com/EMs3ikIsmq
— Eric Albarracin (@CPTdasAmericas) June 25, 2017
Chandler had this to say on the MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani:
Yeah, I know his name, I’m not gonna say it. He’s an awesome guy… he was my guy. New York Athletic Commission, he was the guy… he walks out with you, he’s basically in charge of making sure I don’t get myself in trouble, is in charge of the drug tests, everything, the whole way… He brought the stool up, he put the stool down, I stand up, I guess he thought we were going to continue. He pulled the stool out, and it’s gone viral. It’s made the Chive, it’s had millions and millions of views at my expense.
If you play it backwards, Michael Chandler’s cornermen give him a place to rest. pic.twitter.com/yOjVpfjPRD
— Suzanne Davis (@SoozieCuzie) June 25, 2017
He went on to describe the incident.
No, I was laughing at it, man. The night of the fight, I was sitting there… people are ruthless. You guys are ruthless. You just had a man go out there and fight in front of millions and millions of people, walking around like a baby deer that just got birthed into a field, walking around on the stanky leg, and people are posting these videos of that runway model with her ankles, and people posting videos of me getting dropped on my butt… it looks bad on the sport, honestly. I could care less… but it’s bad for the sport. It looks really bad.
Chandler went on to describe how he thought the fight should have gone on despite a leg injury that left his leg numb and unresponsive to his brain’s commands. He was convinced he would have made a comeback victory and said he should have gone full Karate Kid in the cage. Ariel Helwani suggested that the decision to stop the fight came as a result of this moment- that, seeing him fall to the canvas, the officials thought he couldn’t stand, and called the bout off. Chandler said he hoped that wasn’t the reason, and is looking forward to his rematch.
Insomnia
It was a pretty crazy event all told- a pretty crazy weekend in mixed martial arts, including the UFC madness
Tito Ortiz reacts to a “F*ck you Tito!” chant #BellatorNYC pic.twitter.com/e5t1ehG3dk
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohnMMA) June 25, 2017
This is incredibly sad, especially when Felice Herrig has overcome significant anxiety to bring her A-game in her past two fights.
‘I am not pretty enough.’ Breaks my heart to hear @feliceherrig talk about her UFC treatment. pic.twitter.com/q9zvcyz3mH
— MarloesCoenen (@MarloesCoenen) June 26, 2017
This double knockdown was truly insane
The realization you’ve been knocked down, but so has your foe. #BellatorNYC shot for @MMAFighting pic.twitter.com/yOqdmvhPM2
— esther lin (@allelbows) June 25, 2017
Double Knockdown, Mitrione KO’s Fedor. Wow! pic.twitter.com/c7d2LbN7h8
— Chase Sherman (@ChaseShermanUFC) June 25, 2017
Let’s not forget this controversy over the Chiesa-Lee finish. Dana White ripped Mario Yamasaki a new one over it on Instagram
Terrible ref #UFCOKCpic.twitter.com/bQa2nF0CP5
— Brandon The Truth (@Brandon_Nocaute) June 26, 2017
Cub Swanson with the relevant questions
When are referees gonna be held accountable for bad calls? I know it’s a tough job but a bad call changes people’s lives
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) June 26, 2017
Own your shit, I guess.
I am a warrior, and I will never quit #ShitHappens haha be back soon.
— Justine Kish (@JustineKish) June 26, 2017
Don’t eat before watching this.
Justine Kish shit the cage #UFCOKC a close look at when and where pic.twitter.com/buTFd5UjJ9
— Fancy Combat (@FancyCombat) June 26, 2017
It has to be a good feeling when Conor McGregor tweets out congratulations to his millions of followers
Atta boy Jimmy boy!! Smooth work @StrabanimalMMA
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) June 25, 2017
Speaking of McGregor, his coaches say he is just weeks away from being ready for Mayweather. With training like this, I’m definitely sold.
Conor McGregor and Ido Portal Pool Noodle Training for Floyd Mayweather https://t.co/q0OeYATVBU
— Zombie Prophet (@ZPGIFs) June 24, 2017
Slips, Rips, and KO Clips
An Olympic boxer sparred Cyborg and it was another fascinating glimpse of the skill gap between MMA boxing and professional boxing.
Me and @criscyborg sparring a small clip ?? pic.twitter.com/PDYwhOEtDJ
— ClaressaT-rexShields (@Claressashields) June 25, 2017
This was a great matchup. Lima surprised me with a win over a top ten welterweight in Lorenz Larkin.
Don’t swing with Lima if your back is against the cage. He does this shit every damn time! #Bellator180 pic.twitter.com/Ty1voDihoE
— FightPicks inc (@MixedMartialBet) June 25, 2017
Boxer Heather Hardy won her Bellator debut
Hardy wins!#BellatorNYC #Bellator180 pic.twitter.com/gTn3DNlE53
— Jonnyboy (@Jonnyboy_6969) June 25, 2017
What a combo by @TMartinMMA, STUNS Johnny Case! #UFCOKC pic.twitter.com/bZVmmdG1xY
— UFC (@ufc) June 25, 2017
Remembering Fedor’s Pride days
@Grabaka_Hitman The title drastically undersells the quality of this video https://t.co/9wBvcOa4wS
— Rich (@high_light) June 24, 2017
Another legend that found himself even more faded was the corporeal ghost of BJ Penn.
Can the 38-year old @bjpenndotcom break the losing streak at #UFCOKC vs. Dennis Siver? If so, it might look like this… pic.twitter.com/RhSJklLptz
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) June 23, 2017
Podcasts and Video
The MMA Hour, including the Chandler interview
The Monday Morning Analyst
The CME podcast
Chiesa! Lee! Yamasaki! Fedor! Mattrione! Sonnen! Silva! Chandler! Pico! Hardy! Bader! @benfowlkesMMA! Me! A new CME: https://t.co/dUKt3V4FKv
— Chad Dundas (@chaddundas) June 26, 2017
Stay woke, Maniacs! Follow me on Twitter @Vorpality for all the worst takes on MMA and politics.