Michael Chandler’s dream of combating on the UFC White Home card become a nightmare after Mauricio Luffy picked him aside and in the end gained by first-round knockout.
The loss drops Chandler to 2-6 with 4 consecutive losses within the UFC, and the 40-year-old veteran has gone greater than 4 years since his final win contained in the Octagon. Chandler didn’t trace at retirement in his post-match assertion, vowing to return again higher than ever for his subsequent match.
Nonetheless, former welterweight Matt Brown mentioned Chandler’s dropping streak and this efficiency show that point has handed and he’s not able to combating on the UFC degree.
“With Michael Chandler, his complete run within the UFC was nothing to write down house about,” Brown mentioned. Fighter vs. Author. “I like Michael Chandler, the truth that he is as large a star as he’s within the UFC. I am not making an attempt to bash him, I am simply trying on the goal info – he should not be a star within the UFC. He is 2-2-6 within the UFC. He is successful by a loss, however how is he doing, is he as large of a star as he’s? That does not imply a lot. He had an incredible battle in Bellator, however he undoubtedly has lots of potential.
“I would not be excited to see him battle once more. If I have been Dana White, I would both minimize him or say he ought to retire. If he desires to proceed combating, I believe he’ll most likely adapt to another group. I would wish to see him in Ben Knuckle. I would wish to see him in perhaps Gamebred MMA, Naked Knuckle stuff. I believe there’s lots of enjoyable available with him. He is clearly not a UFC degree man, however he is 2-6. You’ll be able to’t try this.”
It is no secret that Chandler’s resume would not all the time match his efficiency, particularly after dealing with Struggle of the 12 months candidates Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje. He additionally practically completed off Charles Oliveira in his solely UFC title battle, however Chandler in the end misplaced by knockout within the second spherical.
As for wins, Chandler was very spectacular in his debut battle towards Dan Hooker, who continues to be within the light-weight ranks within the UFC. Nonetheless, his second win got here towards Tony Ferguson throughout an eight-fight dropping streak earlier than leaving the UFC.
Chandler gained that match with a highlight-reel front-kick knockout, however contemplating the place Ferguson was at that stage in his profession, Brown would not assume that efficiency would actually enhance his profession.
“The knockout of Tony Ferguson is sort of irrelevant,” Brown mentioned. “Dan Hooker (knockout), it was an excellent win for the time, however that is it. One good win.”
Chandler undoubtedly put up an entertaining battle even in a loss, however Brown says he simply hasn’t constructed up sufficient goodwill to maintain giving him an increasing number of alternatives to make issues proper.
“It is completely different when B.J. Penn is dropping seven or eight video games in a row,” Brown defined. “You’re a fucking legend who was a champion again within the day. You’re OK, we wish you to retire, however if you wish to[keep fighting]we’ll maintain providing you with fights.
“Michael Chandler hasn’t finished something for the UFC. He is offered tickets, pay-per-views, and so forth. He hasn’t completed something with the UFC.”
Chandler has already put an finish to retirement speak, and Brown mentioned there are nonetheless loads of alternatives if he would not wish to dangle up his gloves. However Brown would not perceive how the UFC can proceed to provide Chandler bouts that maintain diminishing returns.
“I believe the RAF is a superb place for him,” Brown mentioned of Chandler. “Chandler has some enjoyable within the UFC, he’s clearly not minimize out for this age.
“When he was 29, he most likely was. Particularly within the conflict with Alvarez, clearly he was. Clearly he was that form of man. However these days are over.”
