Michael Chandler has been accused by multiple former opponents of cheating inside the Octagon during his UFC career. Dustin Poirier has repeatedly berated the former Bellator champion ever since the pair met at UFC 281 in November of 2022.
Poirier (30-9 MMA, 22-8 UFC) emerged victorious on that occasion after submitting Chandler (23-9 MMA, 2-4 UFC) in the second round, but "The Diamond" accused his former opponent of fishhooking him and grabbing his gloves in an effort to set up a rear naked choke earlier in the fight.
In the lead up to UFC 313 last week, another of Chandler's former opponents, Justin Gaethje (26-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) called him a "serial cheater", and highlighted how Chandler had repeatedly rained down blows on the back of Charles Oliveira's head when the pair fought in November.
Chandler's Next Opponent Chimes In On Cheating Accusations
With Chandler set to face Paddy Pimblett in the co-main event at UFC 314 next month, the topic popped was brought up when "The Baddy" sat down for an interview with UFC play-by-play commentator Jon Anik, which was aired on ESPN.
Pimblett (22-3 MMA, 6-0 UFC) is well aware of Chandler's unsavory habits inside the Octagon, but preferred to point the finger at the officials, rather than at his next opponent.
"If you're not cheating, you're not trying, you know what I mean?" joked the UK star. "That's on the ref. Yeah. It's not really. He's just throwing hammer fists at the back of Charles Oliveira's head. Charles either needs to move his head, or the ref needs to say something to him.
"Like, I did watch that fight the other day though. He does hammer fist him about 12 times on the back of the head…just like that (mimics hammer fist motion). And he knows what he's doing. But it's one of them. Like the ref. Like there. If I was in that position, I'm Charles. I'm saying, “Ref!”…you know what I mean? What are you doing here? Like that was some bad refereeing right there.
"But obviously I've seen the Poirier one as well. Then Poirier saying he tried to fish hook him to get the choke and stuff like that. I'll do the same thing as Poirier. If that happens, I'll bite his finger and try and cut it off with my teeth. Like, it's one of them. But I always say, if you're not cheating, you're not trying!"
