Michael Chandler fights back against dirty fighter label after Oliveira loss

In the United States, during UFC 309, which took place in November 2023, Michael Chandler faced Charles Oliveira in a highly anticipated bout. This match followed Chandler's previous loss to Dustin Poirier in 2022, where he was accused of using illegal techniques. The bout with Oliveira ended with a lopsided decision against Chandler, although he nearly finished Oliveira in the fifth round. Following the fight, Chandler expressed frustration with the accusations of being a 'dirty fighter,' insisting that misunderstandings about the rules contributed to this labeling. Chandler clarified the definitions of 'the back of the head' and 'cage-grabbing' according to unified rules, stating that he did not intentionally aim for illegal targets. He emphasized that the criticism regarding his fighting style and techniques was valid, but the claims of him being dirty were unfounded. Chandler attributed some of the confusion to commentator oversight, as well as the challenge of officiating a fight with many moving parts. In March 2023, Chandler's anticipated fight against Conor McGregor was postponed due to an injury McGregor sustained. Consequently, Chandler opted to accept the fight against Oliveira. This decision brought both challenges and opportunities for Chandler, who underwent extensive preparation for the match. After the fight, he remained committed to his principles of honesty and integrity, aiming to move beyond the negativity surrounding his performance. Chandler's experience emphasized not only the physical challenges of mixed martial arts but also the scrutiny fighters face in the media and from fans. He advocated for clearer communication during fights to avoid misunderstandings and emphasized that he is eager to move forward, cherishing his career while learning from each confrontation in the octagon.