Michael Chandler, a seasoned UFC lightweight, is still feeling the sting of his latest loss to Charles Oliveira, but he’s turning it into fuel for his next fight against Paddy Pimblett at UFC 314 on April 12, 2025. Speaking to Teddy Atlas, Chandler got real about his career, his last fight, and how he’s planning to switch things up to get back in the win column.
“I feel like I was more let down in my entire career than any other fight in this last fight with Charles Oliveira,” Chandler told Teddy Atlas.
That loss hit him hard, coming in November 2024 at UFC 309 when Oliveira submitted him in a rematch that left Chandler 2-5 in the UFC. But he’s not just dwelling on it.
“But I saw glimpses of more composure in that fight… There was a loss, but there was a growth in that fight. So it’s hard because your heart says ‘You lost, therefore you’re not good enough.’ But if I use my brain, I think I made some very good veteran decisions…I felt more alive, more composed and more comfortable in there,” he said.
Even though he didn’t win, Chandler sees progress in how he handled himself, staying calm and making smart moves under pressure.
A New Approach Against Pimblett
Now, he’s looking ahead to Paddy Pimblett, a rising star who’s undefeated in the UFC. Chandler knows fans love his wild style, but he’s ready to tweak it.
“I think people enjoy watching me because they can tell that I might make a bad decision, and I don’t care what the repercussions are,” Chandler said. “Is that smart? Probably not. But it’s also why I end up with ‘Fight of the Night.’ But I want to win. And I think on April 12, we’re gonna see a little bit more of a calculative guy with big heavy, heavy shots.”
He’s hinting at a smarter game plan, mixing his usual hard-hitting power with better choices to avoid the mistakes that cost him before.
Chandler’s been a fan favorite for his all-out brawls, earning bonuses in fights against Justin Gaethje and Tony Ferguson. But with a 23-10 record and tough losses piling up, he’s eager to show he’s still got it. Facing Pimblett, who’s fresh off a big win over King Green in 2024, Chandler wants to prove he can grow from defeat and come out on top with a sharper, more controlled attack.
