Michael Chandler Reflects on Rivalry with Patricio Pitbull Ahead of UFC Debut

LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Michael Chandler, a veteran mixed martial artist, shared his reflections on his intense rivalry with Patricio Pitbull ahead of his upcoming debut in the UFC. As he prepares for this new chapter, he acknowledges the significance of their past encounters, particularly their heated rivalry stemming from a fight in Bellator MMA.

Chandler’s Bellator journey included a stunning loss to Pitbull, who claimed the lightweight title with a knockout just 61 seconds into their match. The defeat marked a pivotal moment for Chandler, who felt the weight of the rivalry intensified due to previous tensions surrounding family comments that he later clarified were misconstrued.

“I’ll tell you what it was — he has a brother who fought, right?” Chandler told MMA Fighting. “His brother [Eduardo Dantas] is his family, and I think because 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, my aunt,’ and I’m like no, dude, I’m literally just talking about your brother. The way I see it, I would love to bury that hatchet,” he said.

Throughout his last few years in Bellator, Chandler found himself in a tough mental space as he faced uncertainty regarding his future. Despite being a multi-time champion regarded among the best lightweights, he felt that the broader audience overlooked his achievements due to Bellator’s lack of mainstream recognition compared to the UFC.

“I felt as though I was working just as hard as every single dude you covered in the UFC,” Chandler expressed. “Just as hard as the UFC champion. Just as hard as the No. 1 guy in the world. It was so hard to build a brand and build a career outside of the UFC.”

After signing with UFC, Chandler will take the octagon for the first time next month, expressing excitement to share the card with Pitbull, who is known for his striking skills and competitive spirit. Pitbull recognized Chandler’s skill, stating it was “the first time in history that father and son fight on the same day,” referring to his own fight alongside his son.

Hearing Pitbull’s enthusiastic remarks about their shared card did not ignite resentment for Chandler, who instead expressed hope for Pitbull’s success in the UFC. “I’m excited for him. Pumped for him. I know for a fact he is very happy with the decision he has made,” Chandler said.

With veterans like Pitbull moving to the UFC, Chandler believes many fighters are coming to the realization that the UFC is the premier venue for cultivating a meaningful MMA career. He emphasized that the UFC provides unmatched opportunities for brand building and career advancement compared to other organizations.

“The UFC is the only place to build a worthwhile, meaningful mixed martial arts career,” Chandler noted. “You’re seeing everybody wants to come over so I’m excited about it,” he added, pointing out that fighters understand the landscape of success has shifted towards the UFC.

As for the prospect of a rematch with Pitbull, Chandler indicated he is not interested in revisiting their history of rivalry. “I’m not an unfinished business kind of guy,” he said. “If I lost to you, whatever I can sleep at night. If I beat you, whatever I can sleep at night. That’s definitely not a fight I’m interested in.”

Looking ahead, Chandler noted that Pitbull has the chance to establish himself as a top contender in the UFC with significant fights on the horizon, showcasing the opportunities available to fighters in the UFC landscape.