Tag: Michael Chandler

Michael Chandler Backs Khabib Nurmagomedov After Viral Plane Removal: ‘If You’re Going To Kick Our GOAT Off…’

UFC 311 is set to be a huge week for Khabib Nurmagomedov but before he corners back-to-back title fights on Saturday night, he has had some complications to get through on his way to Los Angeles. A video on social media showed “The Eagle” being asked to either move seats or leave the plane following […]

UFC 311 is set to be a huge week for Khabib Nurmagomedov but before he corners back-to-back title fights on Saturday night, he has had some complications to get through on his way to Los Angeles. A video on social media showed “The Eagle” being asked to either move seats or leave the plane following a conversation with a flight atendant.

This altercation stemmed from the fact that the former UFC lightweight champion was seating on the emergency exit row which requires the passengers to listen, understand and potentially participate in the safety procedures regarding the emergency door. Nurmagomedov did not see what the issue was but there seemed to be some caution regarding his understanding of English.

Nurmagomedov can even be heard saying in the video that he was asked ahead of time whether he knows English and he does so it wouldn’t be an issue. A fellow mixed martial artist has stuck up for the fighter turned coach on social media by outlining where some airlines may have double standards.

Michael Chandler made the argument that if there is an issue about Khabib sitting in the emergency row due to his English, why is that not the same for people who may not be physically or mentally dependable in that same situation. “Iron” Mike even referred to the retired athlete as the greatest of all time in his statement on the matter.

“If you’re going to kick our GOAT off the plane for a little accent, please start making passengers do a physical and mental fitness aptitude test before you let them sit in the exit row after uttering a one word, one syllable, ‘yes.’ Because I’ve seen some slugs in the exit row on flights. @TeamKhabib“

Michael Chandler Roasts Conor McGregor Amidst Ongoing Tensions “Cheaper and Cheaper”

Michael Chandler Roasts Conor McGregor Amidst Ongoing Tensions "Cheaper and Cheaper"The long-standing rivalry between Michael Chandler and Conor McGregor took another fiery turn on social media today, with Chandler…

Michael Chandler Roasts Conor McGregor Amidst Ongoing Tensions "Cheaper and Cheaper"

The long-standing rivalry between Michael Chandler and Conor McGregor took another fiery turn on social media today, with Chandler delivering a scathing response to McGregor’s latest tweet. The exchange has reignited tensions between the two fighters, whose much-anticipated clash has been teased for years.

Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler

Conor McGregor is well-known for his brash social media presence, posted an exuberant tweet promoting his involvement in bare-knuckle fighting. In typical McGregor fashion, the Irishman hyped up his return to Philadelphia, referencing the city’s connection to the iconic fictional boxer Rocky Balboa. He wrote: “WE ARE BAD MOTHERF*ERS IN BAREKNUCKLE, END OF. Watch the content below. ? See you soon beautiful Philadelphia, home of Rocky Balboa. We are coming in with NO GLOVES AND CLOSED FISTS and with the Heavyweight World Title on the line! Real mad man shit. Made for Philly! Course we brought the heavyweight belt! PHILADELPHIA! WHAT A CITY!”

Michael Chandler wasted no time firing back with a brutal retort that mocked McGregor’s current status in combat sports. He tweeted on X: “Who TF is ‘we’ – you are a suit and the ones you wear keep getting cheaper and cheaper. You’ll be flipping through the clearance rack in no time… @TheNotoriousMMA”

The jab hit hard, as it not only dismissed Conor McGregor’s claims of being an active fighter but also took a swipe at his persona and perceived decline in relevance. Michael Chandler’s quip about “cheaper suits” seemed to allude to McGregor’s waning credibility in the MMA world, where he has been more active on social media than in actual competition.

michael chandler conor mcgregor

This exchange is just the latest chapter in a rivalry that has been frustrating for fans. The two were first paired as opposing coaches on The Ultimate Fighter 31 in early 2023, with an eventual fight expected to follow. However, a series of delays, including McGregor’s absence from USADA testing protocols and an injury that sidelined him in mid-2024, meant the fight never came to fruition.

Conor McGregor 1

Chandler, once optimistic about facing McGregor, grew increasingly frustrated as months turned into years without any concrete plans. Despite McGregor’s unpredictable behavior and frequent teases about potential fights, including rumored bouts with influencers like Logan Paul, Michael Chandler has remained vocal about his willingness to fight him. However, today’s sharp response suggests that Chandler may be losing patience with Conor McGregor’s antics.

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Fans have taken to social media to weigh in on the spat, with many praising Chandler for calling out McGregor’s bravado. Others lamented how far McGregor has drifted from his fighting prime.

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Islam Makhachev Recalls Being ‘Upset’ At Michael Chandler’s UFC Title Shot: ‘One Fight, He Beat Dan Hooker’ 

UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev got his shot at gold in 2022, but he wasn’t pleased to have been usurped by a promotional newcomer the year before. Makhachev long complained of those highly ranked at 155 pounds avoiding him amid the win streak that ultimately catapulted him to the top. And his frustration was compounded […]

UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev got his shot at gold in 2022, but he wasn’t pleased to have been usurped by a promotional newcomer the year before.

Makhachev long complained of those highly ranked at 155 pounds avoiding him amid the win streak that ultimately catapulted him to the top. And his frustration was compounded by Chandler’s arrival.

The former three-time Bellator titleholder debuted in January 2021 by quickly stopping Dan Hooker. That sole result was enough to secure Chandler a title shot, which he lost in dramatic fashion against Charles Oliveira.

During a recent interview uploaded to Demetrious Johnson’s YouTube channel, Makhachev looked back on his feelings toward his journey up the ladder, reiterating his fury at seeing others rewarded before him despite doing less.

“We don’t have some easy way. Somebody can jump from like — like Michael Chandler, he jump from Bellator, one fight, he beat Dan Hooker, fight for the title,” Makhachev said. “For me, it’s not working. … Of course it makes me upset, you know, when somebody jump and fight for the belt before me.

“I had a long way. I fought like how many years but somebody come and beat one guy who is not like, top,” Makhachev added.

Things have ultimately worked out better for Makhachev, who defeated Oliveira to capture the title in 2022 and has since defended it successfully three times at the expense of Alexander Volkanovski and Dustin Poirier.

Chandler, meanwhile, has won just a single fight since his debut triumph over Hooker. That came over Tony Ferguson, while his four UFC defeats came at the hands of “Do Bronx” twice, Dustin Poirier, and Justin Gaethje.

Colby Covington On How ‘Easy’ Michael Chandler Fight Would Go: ‘Definitely Done Some Steroids…’

Former interim UFC welterweight champion Colby Covington likes his chances in a potential clash with Michael Chandler. Sine the start of 2023, Chandler has had his sights firmly set on being the opposition for Conor McGregor’s comeback fight. And that appears to still be the case despite close to two years passing by. In the […]

Former interim UFC welterweight champion Colby Covington likes his chances in a potential clash with Michael Chandler.

Sine the start of 2023, Chandler has had his sights firmly set on being the opposition for Conor McGregor’s comeback fight. And that appears to still be the case despite close to two years passing by.

In the meantime, the ex-Bellator titleholder faced and lost to Charles Oliveira last November, pushing him to a 2-4 record inside the Octagon. Nevertheless, his entertaining style looks to have kept the McGregor fight on the table.

But like last year, Chandler isn’t without backup options.

Last month, the veteran lightweight contender suggested he’d be open to doing battle with Covington up at welterweight. The comments came shortly before “Chaos” suffered a brutal loss at the hands of Joaquin Buckley in Tampa.

During a recent appearance on Submission Radio, Covington looked ahead to what 2025 could have in store for him following two straight defeats. He noted Chandler’s interest in a fight, sharing the same sentiment while slipping in a steroid allegation for good measure.

“I don’t blame Michael for wanting the next biggest fight he could possibly get. That’s me,” Covington said. “So, he loves to get beat up. He loves to get his face smacked, and if that’s the fight the UFC wants, then I love that fight. … I hope it comes to fruition. But, I don’t know. I think he’s all talk, I don’t think he’s any walk.

“I see myself overpowering him. He’s definitely done some steroids to bulk up, so ’70 looks like a weight class he could fit into. … He’s like a (Islam) Makhachev. These guys are weight bullies. … There’s no reason he shouldn’t come up to 170,” Covington continued. “How I see the fight going, it’s a very easy fight. I see me breaking his will. If it’s five rounds, for sure he’s not hanging out. … I just see him quitting, him breaking, like in the Dustin (Poirier) fight. … It would be a catastrophe for him.”

With the result on Dec. 14, Covington is now 2-4 across his last six fights and 0-4 against those currently ranked inside the welterweight top 15.

Lightweight Prospect Calls For Michael Chandler’s Removal From The Rankings: ‘He’s 2-4 In The UFC!’

According to one up-and-comer, Michael Chandler has no business having a number next to his name in the UFC lightweight division. Chandler has had an up and down run since joining the UFC from Bellator, where he was a former three-time champion. He’s been unable to win gold on MMA’s biggest stage and has accumulated […]

According to one up-and-comer, Michael Chandler has no business having a number next to his name in the UFC lightweight division.

Chandler has had an up and down run since joining the UFC from Bellator, where he was a former three-time champion. He’s been unable to win gold on MMA’s biggest stage and has accumulated a negative record.

While “Iron” has scored memorable knockouts of Dan Hooker and Tony Ferguson, he’s tasted defeat twice as much as he has victory in the UFC, falling to Charles Oliveira twice in addition to Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje.

Despite the state of his Octagon record, however, Chandler remains highly ranked at #7. During a recent interview with Inside Fighting, the unranked Grant Dawson gave his assessment of that, calling for the veteran to be booted from the top 15.

“There are people who do not belong in the top 15 let alone the top 10,” Dawson said. “If you like at somebody like Michael Chandler, he’s 2-4 in the UFC. You put his record up against my record, 11-1 in the UFC, assuming I beat Diego (Ferreira). 11-1 in the UFC compared to 2-4 in the UFC, and you say, ‘Yeah, the 11-1 guy (is) not ranked. The 2-4 guy ranked in the top 10, top seven.’ It doesn’t make any sense.

“You’ve got these guys, they’re not looking to fight the up-and-comers,” Dawson continued. “They need to take Michael Chandler out of there.”

After going unbeaten across his first nine UFC fights and defeating the highly regarded Damir Ismagulov, Dawson broke through into the lightweight rankings. But a shock 33-second knockout loss to King Green quickly changed that.

The American Top Team standout has since been looking to work his way back up the ladder. Thus far, that’s seen him outpoint Joe Solecki and stop Rafa Garcia via TKO in back-to-back contests.

He’ll next look to make it three wins on the bounce when he collides with lightweight vet Diego Ferreira at UFC 311 in Los Angeles on Jan. 18.

10 UFC Fights We Want to See in 2025

It’s just been just shy of three weeks since Joaquin Buckley busted up Colby Covington in the most recent UFC fight. As is often the case when the promotion…

It’s just been just shy of three weeks since Joaquin Buckley busted up Colby Covington in the most recent UFC fight. As is often the case when the promotion…