Michael Chandler is looking on the bright side of things following his loss at UFC 281.
Coming into the UFC 281 event, many people were very interested to see how the lightweight bout between Dustin Poirier and Michael Chandler would play out. Both men are known for their skills and no-hold-barred approach to fighting. Many thought it would be Chandler with the advantage on the ground, however, ultimately he was submitted by Poirier in the third round.
With the win, Poirier may have set himself up nicely to be in the running for a title shot in the near future, but Chandler will have to go back to the drawing board. Following the bout, he still completed his media obligations and spoke to the media post-fight. He seemed disappointed but optimistic that he will be back.
Michael Chandler still feels a sense of winning after losing his UFC 281 bout in New York
Chandler has taken a moment to reflect on his loss and give fans a look into his thoughts and how he is feeling going forward. He took to his YouTube page to send a message to his supporters.
“UFC 281 Madison Square Garden in New York City, I did not get my hand raised, but I still feel like I’m winning,” he said. “I feel like I’m winning because I have grown so accustomed to setbacks and pain and failure, knowing that those things, those feelings, those milestones in my life, I’ll beat it. Not great milestones are turning me into and growing me into forcing me into the man that I am supposed to be.”
Chandler has now lost three of his five fights since coming to the UFC. After the bout UFC president, Dana White spoke about Chandler and praised him for his fighting style and always being in exciting fights. The 36-year-old former Bellator champion is not ready to give up and is still learning and growing in the UFC.
“I truly believe at this point things are still working out even though I’m sitting here just a couple days removed from what most would call a failure, what my record would call a loss,” he said. “What the onlookers would call falling short, yet spiritually, intrinsically as a growth-minded human being I feel like I have become a better man because of it.”
Chandler is still one of the best lightweights in the world and is currently sitting at number five in the division after the loss. He is one of the more popular fighters on the roster and could still score a bout with a top opponent next. He has also been calling for a bout with Conor McGregor when he returns.
