Michael Chandler Claims ‘I Beat Oliveira 9/10 Times’ – But Is He Justifying His Loss

Chandler’s blistering honesty about his disastrous UFC 309 loss to Charles Oliveira will leave you questioning everything. Is he truly the fighter we thought he was, or did disappointment, injury, and controversial rules change the course of his career forever? Get ready for the inside scoop!

Michael Chandler: Disappointed in Performance Against Charles Oliviera

Michael Chandler‘s performance at UFC 309 left him feeling deeply frustrated, despite a strong comeback attempt in the final round. Chandler faced off against Charles Oliveira in their rematch, but while Chandler nearly secured a dramatic finish, Oliveira dominated most of the fight, winning by unanimous decision. Chandler, who had suffered a knee injury early in the first round, was disappointed with his performance, rating himself a 2 out of 10. He shared, “I believe I beat Charles Oliveira nine times out of 10,” reflecting his frustration with how things unfolded.

Chandler’s Reflection on Past Losses to Oliveira

This rematch was Chandler’s second loss to Oliveira, following their first encounter at UFC 262, where Chandler also suffered defeat. In that bout, Chandler had nearly finished Oliveira early but ultimately got knocked out in the second round. While Chandler admitted to the disappointment of losing twice to Oliveira, he emphasized that his skills and potential were capable of defeating the Brazilian. Despite the setbacks, Chandler believes he can succeed in a future bout with Oliveira, as he was unable to showcase his true abilities in either loss.

Disputing Allegations of Rule Violations

Beyond his dissatisfaction with the fight itself, Chandler expressed frustration with the commentary and the narrative surrounding his actions during the bout. Several fans and commentators alleged that Chandler had violated the rules by grabbing the cage and landing illegal strikes to the back of Oliveira’s head. Chandler, however, denied these claims, asserting that his punches were aimed at Oliveira’s ear, not the back of his head, which he argued is within the rules. He also criticized the commentary for misinterpreting the rules of cage-grabbing and illegal strikes, stating that the referee was in a better position to assess these actions.

Past Allegations and Chandler’s Commitment to Integrity

This was not the first time Chandler faced allegations of rule-breaking. During his fight with Dustin Poirier at UFC 281, Poirier accused Chandler of similar infractions, including illegal strikes. Chandler has consistently denied these allegations, stressing his commitment to integrity inside the octagon. He defended his actions during the fight, acknowledging the intensity of the situation but reaffirming that his goal was always to compete with honor and respect for the sport. Despite the frustration surrounding the commentary, Chandler remains focused on keeping his reputation intact.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Chandler?

Following another tough loss, Chandler remains determined to bounce back. His current UFC record of 2-4 is far from what he had hoped, but he remains optimistic about his future in the organization. Chandler’s next step is to recover from his injury and focus on delivering a performance that will not only satisfy himself but also fans and supporters. With his passion for the sport and relentless drive, Chandler is ready to make a strong return and continue proving himself in the octagon.