Dana White confirms Michael Chandler ‘isn’t going anywhere’ after slumping to 2-4 in the UFC with loss to Charles Oliveira

Strong as Iron: Former Bellator champion and popular UFC lightweight contender “Iron” Michael Chandler showed grit and determination in his incredible rematch with Charles Oliveira at MSG.

Despite leaving the most famous arena in the world with a unanimous decision loss, Michael Chandler remains an exalted MMA superstar and the UFC CEO was quick to celebrate the madness he consistently delivers in the octagon.

Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Dana White celebrates the madness that Michael Chandler consistently delivers

Aside from any controversy over blows to the back of the head from Charles Oliveira, Michael Chandler's stock rose again on Saturday night as he fought through adversity in the fantastic co-main event of UFC 309.

“He's like Arturo Gatti,” praised Dana White at the post-fight press conference, acknowledging that the American is “one of those guys where win, lose or draw, you're never disappointed at the end of a Michael Chandler fight.” fight. .

“He's always exciting, he's always fun. I mean, the last round of that fight he kept getting knocked down, he got on his back… So when he got on his back at the end, he just got up and started punching him.”

After his rematch against 'do Bronx, Michael Chandler is unfortunately 2-4 in the UFC, with big wins over Dan Hooker and Tony Ferguson, but losses coming to Justin Gaethje, Dustin Poirier and now Oliveira twice.

Even at the age of 38, there were concerns that 'Iron' could have called it quits after what was his ninth career defeat; Luckily, Dana White has stated that he isn't going anywhere.

“The child always tries to win; he always comes to fight and Michael Chandler will always have a home here… Until he decides to retire, Michael Chandler isn't going anywhere.”

Speaking to Joe Rogan in the octagon, Chandler was said to return to his call-out for Conor McGregor, with White confirming just hours later that 'Notorious' will return in late 2025.

“Will he fight Conor? I don't know… Conor is coming back at the end of 2025, so there's a lot of time before we find out who's going to fight Conor.”

Michael Chandler says his sparring form didn't match his UFC 309 performance

Speaking to Megan Olivi via ESPN MMA, Michael Chandler admitted that while he was extremely proud of himself for fighting so hard after a two-year layoff, his performance at UFC 309 did not match the form he had in sparring shown.

“I have to be honest; this was the best I've ever felt in my entire life, which led to a fight, but I also have to be honest and say I just wasn't feeling it 100% tonight.

“I got there and felt like I was in a good rhythm; I won't call it ring rust because I don't believe in ring rust. I just didn't put on a performance in the fight like I was sparring for the last ten weeks.

The inspirational lightweight was extremely emotional after the loss, understandably, describing that fifth round as a “culmination of the last few years” and everything that came with it.

“The patience, the discipline, the crazy feeling I took on the chin for two years, hearing all the naysayers… I don't make excuses; I'm not asking for a pity party.

“I am proud of myself, I stand confidently on my own two feet. I had a feeling those first four rounds would be a culmination of Michael Chandler's rocky story in the UFC.”

Will his hardships be rewarded with a Conor McGregor fight in 2025 – if anyone deserves that 'Notorious' spot, it's 'Iron' Michael Chandler.

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