UFC lightweight Michael Chandler wasted two years of his pro career waiting for a Conor McGregor super fight that never came to fruition. During his time away from the cage, “Iron” made a lot of promises about the impact he would make on the 155-pound division when he was eventually rebooked against Charles Oliveira at UFC 309.
Instead, he just looked old, slow, and reminiscent of Tony Ferguson.
“Michael Chandler has hit Tony Ferguson status, just being honest,” longtime referee “Big” John McCarthy said on his Weighing In podcast. “Who’s he going to beat? He looked slow at times. You want to talk about looking slow? You cannot look slow in the lightweight division. You’re gonna die. And he got outwrestled by a jiu-jitsu guy. The two years (away) showed that not only did Michael Chandler not improve as a fighter, but he declined, and he watched his career start to expire. He’s calling out Conor McGregor after losing again. What the hell? You can’t do that.”
Ferguson, 40, suffered one of the most spectacular collapses in the history of MMA, winning 12 straight fights then losing eight in a row — five by way of knockout or submission. Similarly, Chandler (23-9) won six of seven then dropped four of his next five, with his only win over the last four years coming against … Tony Ferguson.
“Michael Chandler got crushed. I mean, just crushed,” McCarthy continued. I’m not saying he’s got seven losses in a row, I’m saying he’s on the same path as Tony Ferguson. Mike’s in the same position. That fight just proved what two years out of the sport will do to you. I don’t want to see Michael Chandler damaged. It’s only gonna get worse. When you’re fighting guys in the Top 5, they will alter your life. One fight will alter the rest of your life. I’m seeing the change and you’re getting hit more and you’re having the difficulty. I don’t want to see him get hurt.”
Chandler, currently ranked No. 7, is expected to make his Octagon return in early 2025.