Why this former MMA champion thoroughly enjoyed "cheater" Michael Chandler getting picked apart by Charles Oliveira at UFC 309
For all the entertainment Michael Chandler provided the fans in his rematch against Charles Oliveira at UFC 309, his off-the-rulebook moves during the fight drew the ire of several fighters. Despite a valiant late effort to mount a comeback, Chandler ultimately lost by unanimous decision, extending his record to 1-4 in the last five fights.
Former Bellator champion Brent Primus, who had his history with Chandler, was particularly vocal about his dissatisfaction with the American's performance. He criticized Chandler’s footwork, dismissing it as sloppy and ineffective, and expressed disdain for his punching technique.
Moreover, he accused Chandler of being a "cheater" and a "dirty fighter," pointing to numerous instances of foul play throughout the bout.
Speaking in a recent interview with MMA Fighting, Primus said:
“Man, he looked like crap in his last fight. I could not believe that. I think Chandler looked like crap. His footwork, he was falling everywhere. He was throwing his right hand like he was throwing a baseball. I was not impressed with his performance. His callout was kind of cringey." [H/t: bjpenn.com]
He added:
“I don’t like that guy. I think Chandler, he’s a cheater. I feel like he’s a dirty fighter. I just don’t like that guy at all. Watching Oliveira pick him apart like that it was kind of fun to see for sure. I liked it.”
Chandler fought Primus twice under the Bellator banner. 'Iron' lost the Bellator lightweight title to Primus via TKO (doctor stoppage) in June 2017 and went on to recapture the throne in their rematch via unanimous decision at Bellator 212.
John McCarthy slams Michael Chandler's performance at UFC 309 and predicts his future
John McCarthy voiced his concerns about Michael Chandler’s future in the UFC after his loss to Charles Oliveira at UFC 309. Speaking on the Weighing In podcast, McCarthy suggested that Chandler is following a similar trajectory to Tony Ferguson, whose career has drastically faded in recent years.
McCarthy criticized Chandler’s performance, particularly his illegal tactics against Oliveira, which included back-of-the-head punches and controversial moves. He expressed disappointment, believing Chandler’s time as an elite contender may be over. He said:
“Michael Chandler got crushed, I mean, just crushed… Dustin [Poirier] doesn’t want to fight him again because of the same things that he f**king ended up doing in the Oliveira fight… Now I always sit there and say ‘If you’re not cheating, you’re not trying’ but don’t sit there and f**king tell me that he didn’t hit him to the back of the head!"
He added:
“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, he’s trying, there’s not a doubt in my mind that he’s working his a** off but it’s just not happening like how it used to happen for him."
Check out the full discussion below (20:30):