A UFC and Bellator veteran believes that Michael Chandler has officially 'checked out'.
After almost a decade, the former Bellator Lightweight Champion again dropped three fights in a row, this time in the largest stage in the world in the UFC.
Chandler has not been in the win column since he eliminated Tony Ferguson in 2022, falls short in his latest performances against former champions Dustin Poirier, Charles Oliveira and the most recently Paddy Pimblett during the weekend at UFC 314.
On Saturday, Paddy 'The Baddy' proved himself a worthy candidate with a bludgeoning by Chandler for a TKO finish of the third round, leaving Chandler in the pool of his own blood.
Falling to a younger prospect instead of a colleague legend, the future of Chandler was brought to the scene by former UFC Middleweight champion Michael Bisping, who thinks the loss could 'kill' his career.
Another retired UFC star Josh Thomson agrees that Chandler is at the age of 38 at the end of his rope.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Josh Thomson says Michael Chandler 'Done' after UFC 314
A former UFC and Bellator -hunter such as Chandler with various common opponents such as Tony Ferguson, Benson Henderson and Patricky Pitbull, Thomson calls the former champion 'washed' for his Dud performance against Pimblett.
From what he could see, Thomson thinks that Chandler's days of an elite are lightweight behind him.
“The reality is that he is ready,” Thomson said about Chandler about roads in Podcast.
“He was washed.
“He literally earned so much money. He has a foot out,” said Thomson.
“It's no longer in him. There is no drive. Have you seen the way he was in the corner with Henri Hoft? Henri talks to him. He had no response. There was nothing there …”
Josh Thomson saw 'No Push' by Michael Chandler against Paddy Pimblett
The Michael Chandler, which we saw at UFC 309 in November, survived five rounds with the valued entry artist Charles Oliveira of the UFC on his back. Chandler almost ended the former champion in the final round with bumps before he lost by decision.
On UFC 314, Chandler was carved with elbows and ground and pound attacks for his first TKO loss in almost four years. We have seen Chandler during his MMA career in countless five-round wars, making the interruption of Pimblett all the more surprising.
“The Michael Chandler who knew that we were very comfortable with constant fighting hands, which constantly tried to run in the body lock. All those things we had seen several times against world -class hunters,” said Thomson.
“And in this situation literally settles on the bottom, literally just comfortable to just hang on his hands and knees, only without wrist control. Just hang a little and touch themselves …
“Those are the things that when I look like a hunter, he has checked out,” Thomson continued.
“There is no push. You can train as hard as you want. You can look as torn as stripped, as torn and fragmented as you want. Torn your mental will not help if you are in that cage …”
Still in top form at the age of 38, Michael Chandler has been fighting professionally with Josh Thomson since 2009 thinking that it is time for the veteran to hang the gloves.
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