Michael Chandler experienced his most significant defeat in the UFC when Paddy Pimblett stopped him in the third round at UFC 314. Pimblett secured the victory with a series of ground strikes this past Saturday.
Unlike his usual octagon performances, Chandler didn`t engage in a prolonged battle and failed to threaten Pimblett with a finish. The 38-year-old veteran noticeably slowed down after the first round, allowing Pimblett to dominate and ultimately end the fight decisively.
This loss marks Chandler`s fifth in seven UFC fights and his third consecutive defeat. Following this performance, UFC veteran Matt Brown questioned whether Chandler`s peak performance years are behind him, while acknowledging Pimblett`s strong showing.
“I`m starting to wonder about a few things,” Brown commented on The Fighter vs. The Writer podcast. “Is Chandler`s reputation inflated, or is Pimblett exceptionally skilled? Chandler has faced top-tier opponents and has defeated notable fighters, particularly in Bellator. However, I`m questioning if he was ever truly suited for the UFC. Perhaps he became too focused on living up to the exciting fighter image Dana White described, or maybe he bought into the hype too much. Or is Pimblett just incredibly talented? He certainly looked impressive last weekend. Does he seem like a future champion? I`m not completely convinced yet.”
“It`s possible that Chandler is past his prime, or simply wasn`t a good fit for the UFC to begin with, and that Pimblett is a top 10 caliber fighter. I believe both could be true simultaneously. Pimblett has convinced me he belongs in the top 10.”
There`s a valid argument that Chandler`s best fighting years were spent in Bellator, and his transition to the UFC occurred somewhat late in his career.
Although Chandler has delivered several memorable and thrilling fights since joining the UFC, he hasn`t achieved the same championship success he enjoyed in Bellator. Brown, drawing from his own experiences, understands the elevated level of competition in the UFC and suggests Chandler might not be able to consistently compete at that level.
“I`m questioning if Chandler`s prime was in Bellator,” Brown reiterated. “He is undoubtedly a skilled fighter, and I don`t want to diminish his accomplishments. I just suspect his best performances were in Bellator. He may have joined the UFC slightly too late, potentially past his prime, or he might have become too caught up in the hype.”
“It`s somewhat similar to what I initially expected from Justin Gaethje – someone who prioritizes exciting fights above all else, reminiscent of fighters like Chris Lytle, always aiming for ‘Fight of the Night.’ While Gaethje`s career took a different path, Michael Chandler seems to have embraced that role.”
Predicting Chandler`s next steps is challenging.
Prior to UFC 314, Brown suggested that a loss to Pimblett might prompt Chandler to consider retirement, as a path back to championship contention would seem nearly impossible.
Chandler has consistently stated his ambition to be a UFC champion, emphasizing he is “not here for a long time, here for a good time.” With three consecutive losses, another UFC title shot may be out of reach before his career concludes.
This is why Brown speculates if this could be the end for Chandler, unless a certain high-profile Irish fighter decides to return to the octagon.
“Chandler himself has said it’s ‘championship or bust’,” Brown stated. “Currently, it appears to be ‘bust.’ If he remains true to his word, retirement might be the logical next step. However, if he wishes to continue fighting, there’s nothing inherently wrong with that. He could be matched up with fighters who guarantee exciting matchups and still headline or co-headline Fight Nights due to his name recognition.”
“While he might not be a pay-per-view headliner anymore, unless Conor McGregor returns, a fight against McGregor could be perfect now. Both are on losing streaks with less to lose, so why not have a high-profile fight, maybe even in bare-knuckle boxing against Conor? It`s uncertain what Chandler should do next. He`s in a fortunate position with a big name and numerous options available.”
Brown acknowledges that Chandler is at a critical juncture in his career, and it`s reasonable to question if his last fight has already occurred.
“I hate to say this about such a warrior,” Brown said about Chandler. “But that’s the reality. He has only won one fight in the UFC, and I’m not considering the Tony Ferguson fight a real contest. What direction does he take from here?”
