Former Interim UFC Lightweight Champion Dustin Poirier and American professional MMA Michael Chandler are still at odds after their spectacular lightweight fight at UFC 281 at Madison Square Garden in New York last night.
Chandler, who was defeated, accused Poirier of poor sportsmanship in the win, alleging he didn’t appreciate how ‘The Diamond’ spoke to him after the fight.
However, Poirier of Louisiana has retaliated after stating that former championship contender Chandler fish hooked him during the fight and fought like a ‘dirty mother-cker.’
During an intense post-fight talk, Poirier called Chandler out on his cheating, reminding ‘Iron Mike’ that the UFC ‘is my house.’
After a history of back-and-forth on social media and in person, the couple finally met in the Octagon and delivered a fight worthy of the title of the battle of the year. Chandler landed enormous bombs on Poirier and a pair of massive takedowns in a frantic, back-and-forth first round. Still, Poirier survived to answer with punishing blows and elbows that nearly knocked Chandler out.
Dustin Poirier on "dirty" Michael Chandler at UFC 281 pic.twitter.com/a3X5mjt5VS
— Bloody Elbow (@BloodyElbow) November 13, 2022
While the battle was an immediate classic, it was tainted by Chandler’s apparent unlawful techniques. Throughout and after the fight, Poirier complained to the referee about what he perceived to be struck to the back of the head and a fish-hooking by Chandler.
And it appears that the illegal methods resulted in a cold post-fight discussion between the two, despite Chandler’s best efforts to reach out to Poirier.
“I did go over there to be a man of my word,” Chandler stated at the UFC 281 post-fight press conference. “I said win, lose, or draw, I would shake his hand and be respectful after. And something was said; I didn’t really like it, so we’re still friends slash enemies slash whatever we are. We’re not really sure what we are.”
Poirier submitted Chandler with a rear-naked choke in a chaotic back-and-forth bout that lived up to expectations, earning both men Fight of the Night honors and an extra $50,000 in their pockets. Poirier is presently ranked second in the UFC lightweight rankings, while Chandler is ranked fifth.
