Chandler Reflects on Rivalry with Pitbull Ahead of UFC Debut

Las Vegas, NV — Michael Chandler, a renowned mixed martial artist, is gearing up for his debut in the UFC after a notable tenure in Bellator MMA. In a recent interview with MMA Fighting, Chandler reflected on his past rivalry with Patricio ‘Pitbull’ Freire, which reached a peak when Chandler lost his lightweight title to Pitbull in a shocking 61-second knockout in 2019.

Chandler noted that the heated rivalry was fueled by more than just competition; misunderstandings stemming from comments he made regarding family were central to the tension. “I think because of the language barrier or whatever, I said something about family and I think he took it as ‘oh you’re talking about my wife, my kids, my mom,” Chandler explained. “No dude, I’m literally just talking about your brother,” referring to his previous victory over Pitbull’s brother.

During his final years at Bellator, Chandler admits he struggled both mentally and professionally, feeling that his hard work was overshadowed by the UFC’s prominence. “I felt as though I was working just as hard as every single dude you covered in the UFC. It was so hard to build a brand and build a career outside of the UFC,” Chandler said, highlighting the challenges he faced while trying to gain recognition.

Chandler’s reflections come on the heels of Pitbull expressing excitement for the two sharing a fight card for the first time in history, stating that family dynamics would be at play as father and son compete on the same day. However, he remains eager to continue their rivalry, believing it isn’t resolved just because they fought previously.

Chandler, on the contrary, views Pitbull’s transition to the UFC positively, stating, “I’d love to bury the hatchet. I’m excited for him. Pumped for him.” He recognizes the importance of Pitbull’s recent release from PFL, where there were disputes over his fight activity.

Alongside his excitement for Pitbull’s success, Chandler acknowledged the UFC’s monopoly in fostering substantial MMA careers. “Whether you like it or not, the UFC is the only place in the entire world to build a ridiculously large mixed martial arts career,” he said, reinforcing his commitment to the promotion’s potential.

As Chandler prepares for his UFC debut against a formidable opponent, he contemplates the future of fighters who, like Pitbull, see the benefits of competing under the UFC banner. “The UFC is the only place to build a worthwhile, meaningful mixed martial arts career,” he stated, predicting a continued influx of fighters moving to the organization.

Despite Pitbull’s openness to a future rematch, Chandler dismissed the idea, stating, “I’m not an unfinished business kind of guy. If I lost to you, whatever I can sleep at night.” He added that he believes Pitbull could become a top contender if he succeeds in his upcoming fight against Yair Rodriguez.