Fighter Profile: Michael Chandler

Michael Chandler had one of the best UFC debuts on one of the biggest cards of the year in 2021 which led to him going straight into a title fight in his next outing and the straight to another title eliminator which was one of the best fights of the year. Chandler puts on a show and I think fans love the former All-American wrestler.

Chandler was born on April 24, 1986 in High Ridge, Missouri and lived there his whole childhood. Chandler was a standout student and played football and was on the wrestling team. Chandler graduated High School and went to University of Missouri where he walked onto the wrestling team and would compile a 100–40 overall record in his four years as a starter which earned him DI All-American honors, an impressive feat for someone that walked on to the team and wasn’t there on an athletic scholarship.

Chandler decided to pursue MMA after finishing his Collegiate wrestling career. He began his  training at  Xtreme Couture, a gym owned by six time UFC champion Randy Couture. Chandler would make his debut against Kyle Swadley winning by TKO (punches) in round one. He would make his debut at Welterweight and compile a 3-0 record before making it to Bellator. Chandler would fight two bouts in Bellator at Catchweight (165) before moving down to Lightweight entering the Bellator Season 4 Lightweight Tournament, which consisted of three fights which he won all of, thus winning the tournament. He’d then fight Eddie Alvarez for the Bellator Lightweight title which Chandler would win. Chandler Would lose and win that Lightweight Bellator belt three times. 

Chandler eventually landed at the UFC, he was first called on as an alternate for the Lightweight title bout between Khabib Nurmogamedov and Justin Gaethje. Chandler was not needed, but would make his UFC debut at UFC 257 in January of 2021 and secured an awesome victory against Dan Hooker via TKO (punches.) Chandler had made his arrival and the UFC brass liked what they saw in Chandler, and put him in the Octagon against Charles Oliveira for the vacant Lightweight title. Unfortunately for Chandler he would lose via TKO(punches.) Chandler would then face Justin Gaethje in November at UFC 268 unfortunately for Chandler he would drop this fight, but not before putting in one hell of a performance.

Chandler is an electric fighter to watch, it is not known who he will face. Considering he absorbed 86 significant strikes to the head I doubt it will be anytime soon.