Dana White reacts to Michael Chandler’s stoppage loss at UFC 314

MIAMI – Michael Chandler suffered his third-straight loss at UFC 314.

Chandler (23-10 MMA, 2-5 UFC) was stopped by Paddy Pimblett (23-3 MMA, 7-0 UFC) in a third-round TKO loss Saturday at Kaseya Center. The former Bellator champion and UFC title challenger has now lost five of his past six fights.

Despite Chandler being in a rocky situation, UFC CEO Dana White had nothing but praise for him.

“I mean, he’s always in the fight,” White told MMA Junkie and other reporters at the UFC 314 post-fight press conference. “Tonight was a big night for Paddy Pimblett. Like we were just talking about, people have been doubting Paddy Pimblett every single fight he fights, and he’s undefeated in the UFC. But Chandler is like our Arturo Gatti, man. Every time that guy goes in, you know you’re in for a good fight, you know it’s going to be a war, and you don’t know whether he’s going to win or lose.”

Prior to the Pimblett loss, Chandler earned four straight bonuses, including a Fight of the Year against Justin Gaethje. However, the loss to Pimblett will now push Chandler further down the UFC lightweight rankings after not winning a fight since knocking out the skidding Tony Ferguson in 2022.