With his first shot at the UFC Lightweight title coming up on May 15th, against Charles ‘de Bronx’ Oliveira, this is why ‘Iron’ Michael Chandler will walk away with the UFC belt around his waist.
34-year-old Michael Chandler won his first world title at Bellator 58 against MMA veteran and former UFC champion, Eddie Alvarez in November of 2011. His record currently stands at 22 wins in 27 fights, finishing 17 of those wins.
With a natural wrestling style, wicked knockout power and an infectious personality, it’s clear why many people will be rooting for the newcomer to the UFC, “Iron Mike”, with his first title fight under his new employers, just a month away.
The Missouri born star fought for the USA’s second largest mixed martial arts promotion, Bellator, for 10 years, making his debut in September of 2010. Since then, Chandler has gone on to fight 22 times for the promotion and held the lightweight title with them on three different occasions.
At 5 foot 8 inches, the lightweight has an unbelievable range to his fighting. His tricky takedown technique, along with his range of submissions and general striking, there’s no doubt that this guy has the ability to finish every opponent he faces.
Looking at the five losses he has on his résumé, both his first and second came via a split decision. However, the other three have all been classed as technical knockouts. So, it’s worth noting that although the nickname ‘iron’ is justified, Chandler does still have some holes to fill in.
It’s fair to say that, for a lightweight fighter, the now number four ranked UFC 155 pounder, has a wide shoulder physique and is heavily muscled but that by no means slows down his striking. You can see that from his 10 wins by KO, his speed, accompanied by his power, are what allow him to finish opponents with his fists.
After spending 10 years fighting for Bellator, fans began demanding that UFC President, Dana White, sign the experienced fighter for his promotion and in September 2020, that’s exactly what happened.
Chandler left his promotion, coming off the back of a victory against former UFC Champion, Benson Henderson, and was now looking to add some bigger names to his hitlist.
After having to wait a while, ‘Iron Mike’ got his wish of fighting one of the top ranked lightweight fighters in his UFC debut, as he would be taking on Dan ‘Hangman’ Hooker at UFC257, alongside fellow lightweights, Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier.
The event took place on January 23rd with Chandler primed to make his debut as electric predicted. His fight with Hooker acted as the co-main event and it did not disappoint.
He came out the more aggressive and the faster fighter and kept Hooker moving for the opening half of the first round until he was able to connect with a swift left hook and put the ‘Hangman’ down and was then able to finish him with a flurry of ground strikes.
His debut put the rest of the lightweight division on notice and after his victory he called out as many of the top contenders as he could, including; McGregor, Poirier and, now retired, Khabib.
After beating the number six ranked Dan Hooker and after it being made clear that, the presumed challenger for the lightweight belt, Dustin Poirier, was more interested in a trilogy fight against McGregor, it has now been announced the Chandler has a chance to follow in Eddie Alvarez’s footsteps and become the Bellator and UFC Champion.
He will fight Charles Oliveira on May 15th at UFC262, as he challenges for lightweight gold.
Both fighters have a natural wrestling style but with Oliveira coming in as the higher ranked, taller and more experienced fighter, many will have him down as the favourite but after Chandler made it clear we would all see him “at the top” very soon, you can’t argue with his confidence.
Fighting in a sold-out stadium in Texas, and with some top quality fights on this card, the fight is sure to bring fireworks. Will we see ‘Iron’ Michael Chandler lift the UFC Lightweight Championship belt above his head on May 15th?
“See you at the top!”
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