Dustin Poirier has a message for one of his former opponents, who’s on a four-fight losing skid and is 2-6 in the UFC.
The opponent in question is Michael Chandler. Poirier locked horns with Chandler in 2022 at UFC 281, where “The Diamond” secured a submission win in the third round. After losing to Dustin Poirier, “Iron” has lost three more bouts back-to-back.
His most recent loss came at UFC Freedom 250, where he was dismantled and stopped by the surging Mauricio Ruffy in Round 1.
After the White House setback, fans and many in the MMA community wanted the 40-year-old Chandler to retire. However, the American fighter has other plans and believes “the best is yet to come.” He has teased a move up to 170 pounds, and his recent comments suggest that he still hopes to lock horns with Conor McGregor.
The two were previously going to fight in the main event of UFC 303. However, a toe injury forced the Irishman to pull out. In 2026, Dana White was no longer interested in this fight.
Meanwhile, McGregor returned after five years to run it back with Max Holloway at UFC 329. Unfortunately, his comeback bout lasted only 69 seconds as he tore his ACL and meniscus and lost by TKO (injury). McGregor believes he will be healed up and ready to return by next summer and says his comeback opponent has to be Holloway.
If “Iron” is serious about his 170-pound move, except for “The Notorious,” every opponent would be a formidable challenge because the welterweight division is currently the most stacked in the UFC.
Dustin Poirier Left Dazed by Michael Chandler’s Career Decisions
On a recent segment of the Deep Waters Podcast, Dustin Poirier questioned why Michael Chandler has not retired yet and argued that if 155-pounders can dismantle “Iron,” 170-pounders will do far worse. He said:
“With all due respect, we buried the hatchet and shook hands, but Michael Chandler, what are you doing? I am just jumping back in about retirement. That just came to my mind… I don’t know if this is official news, but he said he might move up to welterweight. If 155-ers are stopping you and you are taking all this damage, what are 170-pounders gonna do?”
Check out Dustin Poirier’s comments about Michael Chandler below:
