Michael Chandler responds to allegations of cheating and dirty play during fights

Michael Chandler has responded to allegations of cheating, illegal attacks and dirty play during UFC fights.

Michael Chandler will return to competition at UFC 314, with the experienced American facing Paddy Pimblett on April 12 in Miami. Both Chandler’s closest rival and his previous opponents in the UFC octagon have reproached the former Bellator champion for often committing fouls and dirty plays during fights.

Dustin Poirier claimed that Michael Chandler put his fingers in his mouth while Charles Oliveira reproached the American with blows to the back of the head. Obviously, these are prohibited actions that should be punished with warnings, loss of points and sometimes even disqualification.

Michael Chandler decided to respond to these accusations during an interview with MMA Fighting journalist Mike Heck. During the long conversation, “Iron Mike” explained how he perceives the situations that occur in combat and how he feels when others accuse him.

Michael Chandler responds to allegations of fraud

Michael Chandler addressed both what other players are saying and the negative feedback from fans.

– Their narrative is difficult for me. People don’t know me outside the octagon, they only see a fighter. Everyone assumes that somewhere I’m playing the good guy, and in fact I’m the bad guy who just plays the role of pleaser in front of the cameras.

Chandler confirmed that he had indeed put his fingers in Poirier’s mouth. The veteran then commented on the course of the fight with Charles Oliveira and reproached the Brazilian for also doing things that are elements of a little dirty play.

– Did I catch the protector on Poirier’s jaw, yes I did because I thought it was his jaw. I’ve talked about it before, these things happen during the fight. You catch yourself in the net, you put your fingers in your rival’s gloves. When I fought Charles Oliveira he pressed his chin against my eye, he did it so hard I thought I would go blind. After all, that’s illegal, as is grabbing the gloves when trying to submit, and he was doing that too. I would never say that Charles is a cheater, it’s just that such things happen in a fight, it’s natural that under the influence of adrenaline we do what we can to defend ourselves and win.