Michael Chandler’s Bold Claim: ‘I Beat Charles Oliveira 9 Out of 10 Times’ – Here’s Why!

Michael Chandler Reflects on UFC 309 Loss to Charles Oliveira: “I Beat Him 9 Out of 10 Times”

Michael Chandler, a former Bellator lightweight champion, recently shared his thoughts on his disappointing performance at UFC 309, where he suffered a unanimous decision loss to Charles Oliveira in their highly anticipated rematch. Despite a strong comeback attempt in the final round, Chandler’s overall performance left him feeling unsatisfied, and he was quick to admit that he was his own harshest critic.

In an interview with Ariel Helwani, Chandler expressed his frustration with his performance, giving himself a 2 out of 10 rating. “I cannot overstate how horrible a performance this was,” he admitted. Chandler felt that the fight didn’t reflect his true potential and vision for himself as a fighter. Despite having lost to Oliveira twice, Chandler strongly believes that, under different circumstances, he would have defeated Oliveira 9 out of 10 times.

This was the second time that Chandler had faced Oliveira, following their initial bout at UFC 262, where Chandler was knocked out in the second round after nearly finishing Oliveira early in the fight. However, despite the similarities in their outcomes, Chandler emphasized that he was most disappointed with how he performed at UFC 309, rather than the actual result of the fight.

One of the biggest frustrations for Chandler was the commentary surrounding his actions during the fight, especially as he mounted his comeback in the fifth round. Both the commentators and fans observed that Chandler had repeatedly grabbed the cage and landed several shots to the back of Oliveira’s head. However, Chandler has denied these allegations, explaining that the commentary misinterpreted the situation.

“The misinterpretation of what the back of the head is by the unified rules of MMA,” Chandler explained, further clarifying that the back of the head is defined as an area from the crown of the head to the neck, with only a two-inch variance on either side. According to Chandler, most of his punches landed on Oliveira’s ear and not the back of his head, as the commentators had suggested.

Chandler also pointed out that referees didn’t warn him during the fight about any cage grabs or illegal strikes, adding to his frustration. He expressed that it was irritating to see the narrative created by commentators who were “35 feet away,” while the referee, who was two feet away, didn’t call out any infractions during the fight.

Chandler’s response to these accusations echoes a similar situation during his fight with Dustin Poirier at UFC 281, where Poirier also accused Chandler of illegal actions. Chandler denied these allegations as well, but added that in high-pressure situations, things happen very quickly and it is not always possible to focus on every detail during the heat of battle.

Despite the frustration with the commentary and accusations, Chandler remained focused on moving forward. He acknowledged his desire to heal from his knee injury, which he claimed occurred in the first round, and he is eager to deliver a performance that his fans and supporters deserve in his next bout. Chandler concluded by reiterating his belief that, with a healthier body and the right mindset, he can defeat Oliveira in future matchups.

As Chandler continues his UFC journey with a 2-4 record, it’s clear that his determination to improve remains strong. His desire to prove himself on the biggest stage is evident, and despite the setbacks, he is focused on bouncing back and continuing to show the world why he deserves to be at the top of the sport.

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