Dustin Poirier thinks it’s time Michael Chandler joins him in the retirement club.
A former foe of Chandler’s, Poirier doesn’t like what he’s seeing from the former Bellator champion. Chandler, 40, is on a four-fight losing streak with three of those defeats coming by stoppage. When discussing fighters that should hang it up on the Deep Waters podcast, Chandler was a name that came up.
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“With all due respect, we buried the hatchet and shook hands,” Poirier said. “But Michael Chandler, what are we doing?”
Poirier is younger than Chandler, but retired in 2025. The lack of a clear path to a UFC title after his BMF title loss to Max Holloway, and concern over his brain health, were two of the main reasons why Poirier decided to walk of MMA. It’s safe to say he sees Chandler in a similar position given all the damage taken in during a 1-6 run over the past five years.
“I saw a thing, I don’t know if this is official news, but he said he might move up to welterweight,” Poirier said. “If 155ers are stopping you and you’re taking all this damage, what are 170ers going to do? He’s too short. He’s not long enough. I want to know what he’s fighting for?”
Chandler most recently fought in June at UFC Freedom 250 at the White House. He was stopped by TKO in the first round of his lightweight bout against Brazil’s Mauricio Ruffy. Many thought that could mark the end of Chandler’s career, but the American didn’t retire and has not mentioned the possibility of quitting in his several puplic statements.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Dustin Poirier suggests Michael Chandler retire: ‘What are we doing?’
