Michael Chandler believes his upcoming bout is very personal for Dustin Poirier. The pair have butted heads before, most recently with an altercation at UFC 276, and Chandler appeared on The MMA Hour to air his side of the story.
““I think that’s where this whole Dustin stuff happened at [UFC 276]. Basically, I was very respectful and nice to him, which I meant every word, and once we both got in the same organization, tensions started rising and [he thought], ‘I don’t know if I like that guy as much as I did, because now, he’s a competitor of mine.’
Michael Chandler Says Poirier is Taking UFC 281 Personally
I’ve made fights personal in the past, and it’s never worked out really well. But truthfully, I think those moments or scenarios warranted somewhat of a personal beef, if you will. I really honestly have nothing against Dustin.”
Chandler feels like the fight will be “personal” thanks to his arrival in the UFC. He showed up after a long and illustrious career with Bellator, beating Poirier to a title fight for the vacant lightweight belt.
“I think it’s personal because of me, but not toward me, if that makes sense. I think Dustin’s been the guy for a very, very long time, and I was the guy who came in and have done what I’ve done. I don’t think it’s necessarily directed toward me personally, just this figure of this guy who is me stepping inside the cage.
Would I have taken the fight against Dustin had he been in Bellator for however many years and came over and I was a top-five guy? Would I have fought him? I probably would have, but I can’t say for certain that I would.
Would I have said the same things he said about me? Possibly, if I was thinking I’d cut my teeth in the biggest organization in the world for 15 years like he did. So I can’t put myself in his shoes, but it’s not personal.
People want it to be personal. He and I will, as we always do, go out there and bite down on our mouthpieces and get into a hard-fought scrap, and it will be entertaining, and like Dustin said, somebody’s most likely getting sparked out. So we’ll see what happens.”
Both Chandler and Poirier have recent stoppage losses against Charles Oliveira, lightweight champ in all but name. Oliveira is set to attempt to recapture the title against Islam Oliveira at UFC 280, and both Poirier and Chandler will be hoping to face the winner in the near future.
What’s your prediction for Chandler vs Poirier? Let us know in the comments.
