“I’ve been here before, after losses. This sport moves quickly. I am still world-class.”
Michael Chandler is still in high spirits despite coming up short in last night’s UFC 262 lightweight headliner against Charles Oliveira.
Chandler was stopped in the second round after Oliveira overwhelmed ‘Iron’ Mike with a flurry of punches against the fence following a picture-perfect left hook that caught Chandler square on the jaw.
He may have fell short on winning a UFC title last night, but Chandler still feels he’s a world class fighter who’s destined to become champion.
“This one, it’s not the lowest of lows, because Charles Oliveira is world-class,” Chandler said following the fight (h/t MMA Junkie). “Fighting for a UFC title is a world-class opportunity. But as my son knows, every young man falls, but every young man gets back up. The sun will rise tomorrow. When I fly home without the belt, we’ve got some explaining to do – but we’re going to figure it out.”
“It’s the fight game, man,” he added. “It’s 4-ounce gloves. You zig when you should have zagged and before you know it, Charles Oliveira is getting the belt wrapped around his waist instead of yours. Here we are. I’ve been here before, after losses. This sport moves quickly. I am still world-class. Anybody next to get me into line for the title again, I believe I can beat them and beat anybody in the top five so we’ll see what happens.”
Chandler did almost stop Oliveira in the first round, proving he has the power to potentially finish just about anyone in the division. The former three-time Bellator champ is currently #4 in the UFC lightweight rankings.