UFC lightweight and former Bellator lightweight champ Michael Chandler has taken a break from calling out Conor McGregor to focus his attention on another major UFC name: Jorge Masvidal. Chandler declared himself the real “BMF” in a recent interview with ESPN, referencing Masvidal’s semi-facetious “Bad Mother F*****” belt earned with a doctor’s stoppage victory over Nate Diaz.
Chandler made his case, pointing out his popularity and penchant for gruelling, brutal fights despite a losing record in the UFC. “You tell me who the BMF is.
Chandler Declares Himself “BMF”
You tell me who the fans, if we did a poll right now, who’s the baddest mother fudger in the UFC? I’ve got a couple awards on my mantel right now. I think I’ll add a couple more – possibly Knockout of the Year, possibly Fight of the Year of 2023. But that BMF belt sure would look good next them.
Is it a fight that I’ve really thought about a ton in the past? Not really. But tell me that wouldn’t get the juices flowing of the entire mixed martial arts world: Michael Chandler vs. Jorge Masvidal for the BMF belt, ‘The Rock’ walking in with it over his shoulder and then handing it to me 15 minutes later.”
One argument that could be made for Chandler’s “Bad Mother Fudger” claim is his most recent fight, a submission loss to Dustin Poirier. It was a bloody, brutal affair, compounded by accusations that Chandler cheated in the Octagon. Chandler insists that he was nothing but fair, but acknowledged that in the sport of fighting, things occasionally get dirty.
“This one was just unfortunate circumstances and a chain of events that I wish didn’t happen, but they did, and also, that’s why we have referees there. That’s why the referee was there with his eyeballs on every single exchange to let you know if you’re doing something consciously or subconsciously, on purpose or not on purpose.
But yeah, it doesn’t feel good [to be called a dirty fighter]. I don’t like to hear that, because, whatever, there are going to be people that say things no matter what, be accused of things win, lose or draw.
But I love this sport, and I would never cheat. It is what it is and I can’t change it, aside from I’ve been here 31 fights and I love the sport and I would never cheat intentionally.”
Should Michael Chandler fight Jorge Masvidal next? Let us know in the comments.
