'He’s Just Chasing Conor' – UFC Fans Unimpressed by Michael Chandler’s Cryptic Welterweight Tease

Despite riding a brutal losing streak and coming off a disastrous first-round knockout loss to Mauricio Ruffy at UFC Freedom 250, Michael Chandler shows no signs of slowing down. The former Bellator champion recently teased a potential move to welterweight, but fans were anything but supportive. 

Instead, many took to social media to suggest just about every other career option imaginable, with several claiming Chandler is simply trying to revive his long-awaited fight with Conor McGregor. 

Michael Chandler's Welterweight Tease leaves Fans Unconvinced

Resilience has always been Chandler’s forte. Even after the devastating knockout loss to Ruffy, the Missouri-native insisted that "the best is yet to come" and vowed to keep moving forward instead of entertaining retirement talk.

His latest Instagram post only reinforced that mindset. Sharing a short training montage, the 40-year-old revealed he had already packed on considerable weight since the June defeat, accompanying the post with the caption:

"No more starving. BULKING SEASON. Walk on. See you at the top."

Given that he reportedly weighed around 195 pounds just weeks after the fight, many fans interpreted the post as a strong hint that the former lightweight title challenger could be preparing for a move to the UFC's 170-pound division.

Rather than generating excitement, however, the post was met with skepticism. A large section of the MMA community questioned whether a weight-class change would solve the issues that have plagued Chandler during his recent run. 

Others believed the timing of the tease had less to do with championship ambitions and more to do with reigniting the long-discussed matchup with Conor McGregor, who has also hinted at competing at welterweight.

Could Michael Chandler Entertain Fighting Conor McGregor?

One fan summed up that sentiment bluntly, writing, "He's just chasing Conor lol. It's weird now." Others were even harsher, pointing to Chandler's UFC record (23-11-0) instead of his ambitions.

"Chandler needs to go sit down somewhere and quit being a punching bag! He's 2-6," a second fan wrote.

Meanwhile, some supporters tried to imagine potential opponents at 170 pounds, with one joking, "Leon Edwards, might actually force Leon to up his output a bit," while another sarcastically suggested Demian Maia, "so he doesn't get KTFO."

Perhaps the most cutting reaction came from a fan who wrote, "Right now he's in a battle with Father Time and a losing UFC record. He might want to go to trade school to pick up a new skill set or become an announcer."

While social media has never been kind to fighters coming off losses, the overwhelming tone suggested fans aren't convinced that switching divisions is the answer. For many, Chandler's biggest hurdle isn't making 170 pounds; rather, it's proving he can still consistently compete with elite UFC contenders.

Michael Chandler Remains Defiant Despite a Four-Fight Skid

The criticism comes at a turbulent period in the fighter’s UFC career. After arriving from Bellator in 2021 with a spectacular first-round knockout of Dan Hooker and a sensational KO of Tony Ferguson, Chandler quickly established himself as one of the promotion's most entertaining action fighters. 

Despite his NCAA and strong grappling background, his willingness to engage in wild exchanges earned him Fight of the Night bonuses and a lightweight title shot against Charles Oliveira. 

That entertaining style, however, has come at a cost. “Iron” is now staring down the barrel, having lost four consecutive fights - falling to Dustin Poirier, Charles Oliveira, Paddy Pimblett, and, most recently, Ruffy. 

In fact, the defeat to the rising Brazilian dropped his UFC record to just 2-6 and knocked him out of the lightweight rankings altogether. Despite the setbacks, retirement doesn't appear to be on Chandler's radar. Shortly after UFC Freedom 250, the former Bellator champion addressed fans in a lengthy social media video, admitting the result was painful while praising Ruffy's performance. 

He revealed he escaped the fight without any major injuries beyond a torn ear and reiterated that adversity has never changed his outlook.

Michael Chandler Not Dwelling on June 14 Defeat

Instead of focusing on the defeat, he promised to "bounce back with more wisdom," insisting that losses are simply opportunities to recalibrate before chasing greatness once again.

Chandler's confidence hasn't wavered, even if his record has. Whether a move to welterweight revives his career or simply raises more questions will only be answered once he steps back into the Octagon.