UFC lightweight veteran Dustin Poirier has reignited his long-standing rivalry with Michael Chandler, calling him “fake” and accusing him of cheating during their UFC 281 fight. Poirier, known for his straightforward approach inside and outside the Octagon, did not hold back in his recent comments, shedding light on his deep-seated dislike for Chandler.
Poirier vs. Chandler: A Heated UFC Rivalry
The developing conflict between Poirier and Chandler originated multiple years ago. Poirier first encountered Chandler during an early Bellator event when Chandler seemed to demonstrate courteousness. Once Chandler signed with the UFC the mutual respect vanished according to Poirier, thus starting an extended conflict through verbal attacks.
Their rivalry reached its peak at UFC 281, where Poirier secured a third-round submission victory in a grueling battle. Despite winning, Poirier has continued to criticize Chandler’s tactics, alleging that he fought dirty and broke the rules during the contest.
Poirier Calls Out Chandler’s “Cheating”
Through the Outta Pocket Podcast Poirier accused Chandler of maliciously blowing nosebleed into his eyes after breaking his nose. Chandler avoids recognizing what Poirier describes as illegal tactics he believes the other fighter uses during their fights.
“Just admit it, bro, you so fake,” Poirier said, doubling down on his claims that Chandler’s actions were deliberate. His remarks add more fire to an already explosive rivalry, keeping speculation alive for a possible rematch.
Watch the full podcast below!
Chandler Denies Any Wrongdoing
Michael Chandler has repeatedly rejected every claim which accuses him of cheating. Chandler declared to the media following UFC 281 that all questionable actions found during the fight were unintentional and did not indicate any sinister motives. He confirmed his commitment to ethical competition through his statement “I don’t cheat.” Chandler attempted to explain himself but Poirier refused to change his stance about the cheating accusations.
Despite Chandler’s defense, Poirier remains firm in his accusations. Their ongoing feud has only increased interest in a potential rematch, though nothing has been confirmed by the UFC.
