MMA Knockout

Michael Chandler on Who Hit Him Hardest, Conor McGregor Allegations, Favorite MMA Fight & More

UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler provides some unique insight into the mind and career of a professional fighter.
Mathew Riddle|
Michael Chandler on Who Hit Him Hardest, Conor McGregor Allegations, Favorite MMA Fight & More
Michael Chandler on Who Hit Him Hardest, Conor McGregor Allegations, Favorite MMA Fight & More

"On a flight... [ask me anything]," UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler recently hosted a Twitter Q&A session on June 15, where he shared intriguing insights in response to various questions.

Twitter user @BestFightPicks asked, "Heaviest hitter you've ever faced?" Chandler replied, "[Dustin Poirier]," which many fans didn't expect. In spite of being knocked out by Charles Oliveira, and being pushed to the very edge in a striking war with Justin Gaethje, Chandler is adamant that Poirier hits the hardest.

Chandler even maintained his opinion on Poirier as far back as March 14, where he answered a similar question about hard hitters:

Chandler is slated to fight Conor McGregor to conclude the 31st season of 'The Ultimate Fighter', though the fight is in a precarious position as a result of McGregor's USADA status and recent criminal allegations.

"What do you think about the news that Conor not wanting to fight you anymore? Do you think he is ever going to fight again or no? Asked @Fragment1ze. 

""News" - that so-called news is not news. Haha," Chandler dismissed the question.

@PhotoAmy33 brought up the McGregor allegations, "Thoughts on the latest allegations against Conor[?]"

"They are very fishy..." Chandler replied. "A lot of people would have to be in this, in a very densely populated place with security cameras everywhere."

According to Chandler, T.J. Dillashaw vs. Renan Barao is his favorite MMA fight, though he didn't mention whether it was the first or second fight. When forced to choose his favorite fighter of each gender, Chandler chose Frankie Edgar and "Holly [Holm] or Joanna [Jędrzejczyk]."

Chandler named Colby Covington and Leon Edwards as the two fighters on his "hit list" after fighting McGregor.

Michael Chandler On "The Most Disrespectful" Thing a Fighter Can Do After a Victory

Chandler assured fight fans that him not consoling his opponents after knocking them out is actually a form of good sportsmanship.

"Iron" Mike appeared on the "Barstool Sports" podcast on June 15, where he revealed the element of fighting he considers most disrespectful:

"I think the most disrespectful thing you can do to a man after he just gets knocked out --- you’ve seen guys like, 'Oh good job man, good job.' To me that’s so disrespectful .... give me my moment to hate myself for a second. That’s where you’re at, right?

"I know you just won, but this is my moment. I honestly always [let the loser come to me]. It may be misconstrued as bad sportsmanship, because I’m just like, 'Knocked you out, see you later.' But [it's like] now you’re in your world, and I’ve been there before. It’s something other than sportsmanship masquerading as sportsmanship."

Whether doing three backflips in a row after bodying your opponent is disrespectful or not, is up to interpretation.

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Mathew Riddle
MATHEW RIDDLE

Mathew is a UK-based combat sports journalist, graphic designer, and SEO expert with half a decade of digital marketing and a dedicated four-year track record in MMA journalism. He joined MMA Knockout when it was founded in 2023. Mathew's insights have been featured on Bloody Elbow, The Fight Fanatic, and Heavy on UFC. He runs Warrior Tribune and can be contacted by his Muckrack profile.

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