Dustin Poirier and Michael Chandler’s Feud Continues to Smolder
The grudge between Dustin Poirier and Michael Chandler remains unresolved nearly two years after their infamous bout at UFC 281. The animosity between the two fighters shows no sign of cooling, with Poirier still fuming over Chandler’s conduct during their fight.
Back in 2022, Poirier secured a victory over Chandler by submission, choking him out in the featured fight of UFC 281. However, the aftermath of the bout was marked by Poirier’s vehement criticism of Chandler, labeling him a “dirty motherf*cker” for committing multiple fouls, including the accusation of fish-hooking. This bitter sentiment has lingered ever since.
Last week, Poirier took to social media to tease the possibility of one final fight, firing off tweets directed at potential opponents like Islam Makhachev and Conor McGregor. Chandler, quick to engage, responded by suggesting Poirier should retire. This suggestion hit a nerve with Poirier, who lashed out in response.
“Who the f*ck is ‘we?!’” Poirier exclaimed during an appearance on The MMA Hour. “You just got here, buddy. You’re not one of us. You’re not ‘we.’ I’ve been here. ‘We’re good.’ Who’s we? Welcome to the UFC, dude. You’ve got one win in the UFC.
“He’s not one of us. I’ve been cutting my teeth in the UFC since January of 2011, 2010. He just got here. Who is we? He’s speaking for the lightweight division? Muscle Milk Mike needs to chill.”
Chandler’s retort comes at a particularly challenging time for the former Bellator lightweight champion. He has been in a state of uncertainty, theoretically slated to fight McGregor after their stint as coaches on The Ultimate Fighter.
However, McGregor’s withdrawal from their scheduled bout at UFC 303 due to a toe injury has left Chandler in limbo, waiting for nearly two years for a fight that might never materialize.
Despite their differences, Poirier acknowledges the precarious position Chandler is in. “He’s risking the chance of losing the fight if it ever materializes,” Poirier said. “But if he goes in there and loses to someone else, do they give him that Conor shot again? If he takes another fight does Conor move on and take a different fight as well?
“The payoff of beating Conor McGregor, financially and just for your career, is worth the wait. But if you never get it, you’re wasting a lot of years and you’re not a young man. These years are very important.
“I don’t know the way he is. I’m sure he’s got intelligent people around him helping him with his deals. I don’t know the way his contract is structured, but if it does happen and he did the right thing on the backend, he’s going to be paid and set his family up. But if it doesn’t, you’re wasting a lot of years and in this game we get old quick. You leave for two years — and I don’t know how old he is, 36? 37? You leave for two years and come back, you could look like a different person. But only he knows.”
Poirier, having had his own trilogy with McGregor, understands the stakes. His victories over McGregor elevated his status in the UFC and secured his family’s future. Reflecting on Chandler’s predicament, Poirier doubts he would have waited as long.
“I don’t think so. Not two years,” Poirier said. “I’d have to be in the position. It’s tough to say [how long I’d have waited]. After fighting him the second time in Abu Dhabi and then the way my contract was structured, I would have waited, probably — probably a year.”
Poirier’s most recent fight at UFC 302 saw him fall short in his lightweight title shot against Islam Makhachev. Following that bout, Poirier hinted at retirement but remains undecided about his future in the sport.
