1. Michael Chandler currently competes in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
48 Facts About Michael Chandler
1. 2.
Michael Chandler was voted the Most Valuable Wrestler during his senior season and was selected to the All-St Louis Team.
3.
Michael Chandler majored in personal finance management services with a minor in real estate.
4.
Immediately after his wrestling career was over, Michael Chandler began training mixed martial arts at Xtreme Couture.
5.
Michael Chandler opted out of competing as an amateur and in August 2009, Chandler made his professional MMA debut with a first-round TKO victory over Kyle Swadley.
6.
Michael Chandler made his Strikeforce debut on November 20,2009, at Strikeforce Challengers: Woodley vs Bears where he fought Richard Bouphanouvong, He won the bout via technical knockout in the second round.
7.
Michael Chandler's next fight in the promotion took place on May 15,2010, at Strikeforce: Heavy Artillery where he fought Sal Wood.
8.
Michael Chandler won the bout via submission in under a minute.
9.
Michael Chandler made his Bellator debut on September 30,2010, at Bellator 31, where he defeated Scott Stapp via technical knockout in the first round.
10.
Michael Chandler won the bout via submission in the first round.
11.
In February 2011, it was announced that Michael Chandler would be a part of the Bellator Season Four Lightweight Tournament.
12.
Michael Chandler won the contest via technical submission after choking Held unconscious with an arm-triangle choke.
13.
Michael Chandler then faced Lloyd Woodard at Bellator 40 and won via unanimous decision to move onto the finals of the tournament.
14.
The tournament final took place at Bellator 44 where Michael Chandler faced Patricky Pitbull.
15.
Michael Chandler utilized his wrestling skills, repeatedly taking down Freire and controlling the fight.
16.
Michael Chandler defeated Freire via unanimous decision to win $100,000 and a shot at the Bellator Lightweight World Championship.
17.
Michael Chandler was expected to compete against Eddie Alvarez for the Bellator Lightweight World Championship at Bellator 54 on October 15,2011.
18.
Michael Chandler defeated Eddie Alvarez via submission in the fourth round.
19.
Michael Chandler won the match via technical knockout at just 56 seconds into the first round.
20.
Michael Chandler made the first defense of his title against Bellator Season Six Lightweight Tournament Winner Rick Hawn, on January 17,2013, at Bellator 85.
21.
Michael Chandler won the bout via submission in the second round.
22.
Michael Chandler was set to make his second defense against Bellator Season Seven Lightweight Tournament Winner Dave Jansen June 19,2013, at Bellator 96.
23.
Michael Chandler won the bout via knockout in the first round.
24.
Michael Chandler instead faced Will Brooks for the interim lightweight title.
25.
Michael Chandler lost the bout via technical knockout in the fourth round.
26.
Michael Chandler faced Derek Campos on June 19,2015, at Bellator 138.
27.
Michael Chandler rematched David Rickels on November 6,2015, at Bellator 145.
28.
Michael Chandler won the bout via technical knockout in the second round.
29.
Michael Chandler regained the title after knocking Pitbull out in the first round.
30.
Michael Chandler made his return at Bellator 192 on January 20,2018, against Goiti Yamauchi.
31.
Michael Chandler won the fight via technical submission in the first round.
32.
Michael Chandler's anticipated rematch with Brent Primus took place on December 14,2018, at Bellator 212.
33.
Michael Chandler dominated the majority of the fight by out-wrestling Primus, ultimately defeating him by unanimous decision and regaining the Bellator Lightweight World title in the process.
34.
Michael Chandler lost the fight via technical knockout in the first round.
35.
Michael Chandler defeated Outlaw via knockout in the first round.
36.
Michael Chandler won the fight via knockout in the first round.
37.
On September 17,2020, it was announced that Michael Chandler had signed a contract with the UFC and served as a backup for a title bout between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje at UFC 254.
38.
Michael Chandler made his promotional debut against Dan Hooker at UFC 257 on January 24,2021.
39.
Michael Chandler won the fight via technical knockout in the first round.
40.
Michael Chandler faced former UFC Interim Lightweight Champion Justin Gaethje at UFC 268 on November 6,2021.
41.
Michael Chandler faced former UFC Interim Lightweight Champion Tony Ferguson on May 7,2022, at UFC 274.
42.
Michael Chandler won the fight in the second round after knocking out Ferguson with a front kick.
43.
Michael Chandler faced former UFC Interim Lightweight Champion Dustin Poirier on November 12,2022, at UFC 281.
44.
Michael Chandler lost the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the third round.
45.
In September 2024, it was reported that Michael Chandler was "done waiting" to face McGregor.
46.
Michael Chandler was scheduled to face former Cage Warriors Featherweight Champion Paddy Pimblett in the five-round co-main event on April 12,2025 at UFC 314.
47.
Michael Chandler started dating Brie Willett in 2013 after emailing for almost two years.
48.
Michael Chandler owns Training Camp, a fitness and MMA gym in Nashville.