What is more important for Michael Chandler: winning or putting on a show? This million-dollar question is what Teddy Atlas is eager to know about the former Bellator champion.
Despite not securing a win since his knockout victory over Tony Ferguson, Michael Chandler continues to be one of the most thrilling fighters in the UFC today. Chandler has earned five performance bonuses in his six appearances, including back-to-back `fight of the nights` at UFC 309.
After losses to Dustin Poirier and Charles Oliveira, Chandler is set to deliver a memorable performance against Paddy Pimblett at UFC 314 this Saturday.
Chandler`s current UFC lightweight record stands at 2 wins and 4 losses.
Despite his recent record, the consistently exciting Chandler reminds boxing icon Teddy Atlas of Arturo Gatti, one of his favorite fighters.
Atlas noted in an ESPN interview with Chandler that, much like the late boxer, Chandler fights with `all heart` every time he enters the Octagon. “One of the rarities in any sport, and in my sport, win or lose, it almost didn’t matter,” Atlas told Chandler, highlighting fighters who prioritize excitement. “People just want to see you because of what you give them.”
This observation led Atlas to pose the crucial question to Chandler about his priorities.
“This to me is the million dollar question: Is it more important to Michael Chandler to win or to leave that arena with the people feeling that way?” Atlas asked.
Chandler, a beloved fan-favorite known for his wars going back to his days with Eddie Alvarez in Bellator, responded to Atlas`s question.
“It’s a very interesting question,” Chandler reflected.
“You want to win, right? But something unique happens when that cage door closes or you step through the ropes and the fight begins.”
Chandler has previously acknowledged that his focus on fan entertainment sometimes overshadowed his pursuit of victory, leading him to prioritize excitement over strategic caution.
“It wasn’t always thinking about the techniques,” Chandler explained. “It wasn’t always thinking about, how do I win? It was always just like, how do I give my full self to this wrestling match? How do I give my full self to this fight?”
“I admit maybe to some of my hardcore fans who really want to see me win, it’s probably not the best strategy sometimes,” Chandler conceded.
“But I’ve also only lost to the number two or three ranked guy in the world. Justin Gaethje, Charles Oliveira, Dustin Poirier… the toughest guys in the entire world.”
“All of them are fight of the night, fight of the year, but April 12, I get to win,” Chandler asserted, looking ahead to his fight with Paddy Pimblett.
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