The Michael Chandler & MMA Media Conundrum
We often share our self-enthused and quarrelsome takes when it comes to the sport of MMA, especially when there is controversy in the spectacle. While no one on this earth who has been a lifelong fan of the sport can argue that Michael Chandler isn’t the Arturo Gatti of MMA, even as uncle fester himself notes, Chandler’s remarkable fights of pure theatre combat – win or lose – can drive any casual to the TV screen for viewing awe.
The aurora of Chandler’s zenith of thrilling fights continues to shine on our screens, despite winning only 2 of his 6 UFC fights since joining the promotion late in his career. Can however this aurora of excitement be halted with questions? The question of what constitutes a dirty fighter.
Debating with our pals in the comfort of our homes via our sofa couch recliners, or in our local sports bars while one of our pals’ drools over one of the waitresses serving us our food and drinks; we are all still debating. The eye pokes, fence grabbing, and numerous shots to the back of the head of Charles Oliveira by Chandler, stemmed to take away from the actual thrill of the fight of what makes Michael Chandler – Michael Chandler. Oliveira himself whom rarely is vocal about complaints, cites his displeasure with referee Keith Peterson for this one, stating: "I don’t like to criticize, I don’t like to say anything, but if you guys saw it, what else am I going to say?I don’t want to criticize anyone, but I was hit too many times behind the head. He grabbed the cage a lot, I was poked in the eye too many times. We’re becoming more professionals every time more, and we don’t need any of that. I think the referee could have been more severe. I told him many times what was going on, and he stood there looking like nothing was happening." Somewhere Dominick Cruz I’m sure is smiling, with his famous "Smelled Like Alcohol & Cigarettes" comments to Peterson, following his UFC 249 loss.
Chandler however remains steadfast in his denial of these blatant illegal shots to the back of the head, claiming that they were to the ear of Oliveira. Chandler adds: "The referee was right there, dude," during his appearance on the niche podcast Bussin’ With The Boys.
An additional example that caters to this topic is when Chandler refused to apologize for fish-hooking and intentionally blowing his nose blood in Dustin Poirier’s face at UFC 281. In his comments to longstanding MMA Journalist Ariel Helwani regarding this incident, Chandler stated: "Do I think it was something that people could say, ‘Hey, that was dirty,’ or ‘that was illegal,’ yes, I could definitely see what you’re saying. But 31 fights, you know my reputation. I’ve got a good reputation in this sport. I love the sport. I don’t cheat the sport. I don’t cheat to win."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KecFeQIk_rU
Controversy with Chandler seems to follow in the past as well. Stemming in 2021 from his original Instagram Live, Chandler stated that he’s "not going to get the vaccine until it’s 100 percent FDA approved", rather than the emergency approval the FDA gave at the time. However, Chandler then back-pedalled on that claim once the FDA approved most of the common vaccine strains, with his intentions against taking the vaccine, even if this would prevent him from fighting in the UFC. Chandler added: "FDA approval or not."
Chandlers controversial takes on transgender women and men in sports have also landed him attention, in addition to his comments echoing Holly Holm following her last win from UFC San Antonio in March 2023. "Right after @amazon hits us with some gender-bending, confusing, mustache-wielding commercial, @HollyHolm calls out the sexualization of today’s youth. Thank you Holly. #UFCSanAntonio.
Chandlers’ right wing talking points have also vexed to extend to famed Facebook creator Mark Zuckerberg. Chandler noted how 'testosterone' and MMA are turning Mark Zuckerberg more conservative, if that makes any sense. Chandler adds: "I just think Zuck started training, that testosterone started going through the roof ... he realized what being a sovereign individual means. You don't know how not sovereign you are until you stand in front of a man, and he beats the crap out of you, and then you pick yourself back up and you do it again, or you get choked out and then you got to get up and do it again." Chander added: "I think Zuck has started to realize that, and now he's starting to lean over [to the right] a little bit."
Chandler’s viewpoints also extended in other circumstances to religion, believing that Vice President Kamala Harris does not support Christians. Chandler stated "If you're a Christian, this has to be the nail in the coffin of even thinking about voting for her. While peddling the idea of killing babies she directly rejects his name. And they were kicked out for saying #jesusislord #christisking - get out and vote early."
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The reality is, most of traditional MMA media will not challenge Michael Chandler on the above’s absurd actions and claims of his, as they would also not challenge any other fighter with controversial viewpoints. This is nothing new. I learned this myself by in fact asking MMA Fighting’s José Youngs in a previous live chat some time ago, in addition to asking Marc Raimondi during his time at MMA Fighting, in addition to Danny Segura. I was ignored as to why this was the standard.
Nevertheless, I will continue to challenge traditional MMA Media with the hope that one day, we witness anything else then the current painstaking proverbial ballsack chortling of the UFCs fighter’s during interviews. Moreover, our current day and age of MMA media feels like a PR extension of the UFC. This begs the ultimate question: are press credentials more intrinsically credible than actual journalism?
Small headlights at the end of this dejected PR tunnel do exist. Long-time MMA journalist Trent Reinsmith stated it best: "MMA sites will cover BKFC fights between "media personalities" but won't cover the anti-trust suit, health and safety, pay, long-term repercussions of combat sports, high-ticket prices, exploitative management and promoters..."
We can do better. A lot better.