Michael Chandler has solidified his position in the UFC, but he sees the best moment of his career dating back to his Bellator days- and it was not his title reigns, but rather the defeat to Patricio Pitbull.
I’m standing right here because of a loss: Michael Chandler
Before coming to the Octagon, “Iron” reigned as the Bellator Lightweight champion three times and during his third title reign, locked horns against Pitbull in May 2019 at Bellator 221.
The bout was heavily anticipated and fans expected a close contest between two of the best lightweights in the world, but the fight ended prematurely as Pitbull dropped Chandler early in the first round and finished him off with ground strikes, securing a 61-second TKO victory, as well as winning the title.
The defeat was highly disheartening for Chandler back then but looking back at it from where he is right now, Chandler terms the defeat as the greatest thing that ever happened to him in his MMA career, as it paved his way into the UFC.
“The thing is, I can tell you right now, I’m standing right here because of a loss. When I lost to Patricio Pitbull, if I had not lost that fight, I still would’ve been stuck in my contract,” Chandler was heard saying in a clip shown on After Tuf.
“…wouldn’t have been able to test free agency, wouldn’t have been able to come over right when Khabib was retiring, right whenever I was going to come in, get the title shot, and become who I am standing here. It’s literally, probably the greatest thing that has happened in my entire career.” [H/T BJPenn.com]
Chandler is currently coaching against Conor McGregor at TUF 31 and is also speculated to face the Irishman on his expected return this December. His last fight dates back to November 2022 when he lost to Dustin Poirier at UFC 281 and Chandler is currently 1-3 in his last four outings in the Octagon.
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