Athletes
Bonus Resume | Michael Chandler
All-Action Lightweight Michael Chandler Has Entered The Octagon Five Times And Delivered One Jaw-Dropping Performance After Another
Since joining the UFC roster in 2020, Michael Chandler has been nothing but fireworks personified.
In five fights, Chandler earned four performance bonuses and a shot at the lightweight title, providing some of the most memorable moments in the Octagon over the last few years. While his record stands at 2-3, one should remember that he jumped straight into the deep end at 155 pounds, where he showed he very much belonged.
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After an extended time away from the Octagon, Chandler returns to Madison Square Garden, competing there under the promotion’s banner for the third time in four years. He faces Charles Oliveira for a second time, a rematch of their thrilling title fight at UFC 262 in which Chandler earned 10-8 scorecards after the first round before Oliveira turned the tables in the second.
Before he makes the walk for the first time in two years, take a look at all the performances that earned “Iron” some extra cash for his efforts.
UFC 257 vs Dan Hooker – Performance of the Night
Full Fight | Michael Chandler vs Dan Hooker
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Full Fight | Michael Chandler vs Dan Hooker
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Chandler got his first taste of a UFC fight week when he weighed in as the backup for the title fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje at UFC 254. About three months later, he returned to Fight Island for his proper debut against the all-action and ever-dangerous Dan Hooker. Chandler was open about his respectful fear going into a fight with “The Hangman,” but none of it showed on fight night.
After a somewhat muted start to the opening round, Chandler uncorked a bulldozing left hand that dropped the Kiwi and earned a stoppage. Chandler capped his welcome with a backflip off the cage and a post-fight callout of, essentially, the entire Top 5 at the time.
UFC 268 vs Justin Gaethje – Fight of the Night; Fight of the Year
After losing the title fight to Oliveira, Chandler made his third appearance of 2021 against Justin Gaethje in New York City. It was a matchup that gave any fight fan chills at just the idea of what might go down between the two gladiators, and they delivered on those expectations.
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Opening up the main card at UFC 268, Chandler came out of the gates sprinting, hurting the former interim champion on several occasions before “The Highlight” pressed forward with his own bombs. The two collegiate wrestlers also engaged in several explosive and dynamic scrambles that were as eye-popping as their striking exchanges in the pocket.
It was a fight that made every fan gasp with each action. Although Gaethje got the victory in the end, both men understood they were part of something special.
UFC 274 vs Tony Ferguson – Performance of the Night
Full Fight | Michael Chandler vs Tony Ferguson
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Full Fight | Michael Chandler vs Tony Ferguson
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Following back-to-back losses, Chandler was in desperate need of a win to re-establish himself in the lightweight title picture.
Facing former interim lightweight champion and general boogeyman of the division Tony Ferguson, Chandler ignored the blueprint his peers laid out on how to beat “El Cucuy.” Instead of grappling, Chandler searched for the knockout blow, but it was Ferguson who landed the first significant strike, stunning Chandler in the first round.
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Chandler turned things around in a big way in the second frame, though. As Ferguson circled away, Chandler saw an opportunity up the middle and launched a huge front kick that landed flush on Ferguson, dropping him in a heap on the canvas. It was the first time Ferguson had been finished in that way (his TKO loss to Gaethje was of the standing variety), and Chandler celebrated accordingly: backflip after backflip.
UFC 281 vs Dustin Poirier – Performance of the Night
For his sequel appearance at Madison Square Garden, Chandler faced “The Diamond” in another guaranteed banger. Whereas Chandler’s matchup with Gaethje had an air of respect around it, the lead-up with Poirier was somewhat more contentious.
It was with this energy that the two collided. Once again, Chandler opened up quickly and had the former interim champion on the back foot. As he does, Poirier was able to weather the storm and flip the script, and in the end, it was Poirier with his hand raised. While the result was disappointing for Chandler, he showed once again why he is must-watch television any time he walks to the Octagon.
UFC 309: Jones vs Miocic took place live from Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York on November 16, 2024. See the final Prelim & Main Card Results, Official Scorecards and Who Won Bonuses - and relive the action on UFC FIGHT PASS!
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