Michael Chandler
Active 2021–present · rated in 3 editions · peak overall 86.0
Scouting report
Making a UFC debut by knocking out Dan Hooker and later delivering a front-kick knockout of Tony Ferguson, Michael "Iron" Chandler is a high-output action fighter. Born in High Ridge, Missouri and training at Kill Cliff FC, the multiple-time Bellator world champion's power is demonstrated by a 90 Boxing rating, 88 Wrestling, and 86 Overall score.
Peak ratings
By edition
Chandler made his UFC debut in January 2021 at UFC 257 in Abu Dhabi, stopping top contender Dan Hooker in round one, before dropping a title bout to Charles Oliveira at UFC 262 and losing a three-round decision to Justin Gaethje at UFC 268 in Madison Square Garden. His athleticism, NCAA Division I wrestling, and right hand are reflected in a 90 Boxing and 88 Wrestling.
Chandler delivered a front-kick knockout of Tony Ferguson at UFC 274 in Phoenix, before losing to Dustin Poirier by rear-naked choke at UFC 281 in Madison Square Garden. His explosiveness, wrestling base, and knockout power justify his 90 Boxing and 88 Wrestling ratings.
Michael Chandler, the Missouri wrestler who learned to punch like a heavyweight
Michael Chandler walked on to the University of Missouri wrestling team without a scholarship and left as a four-time NCAA Division I qualifier and an All-American. He started MMA training at Xtreme Couture right after college and became a three-time Bellator lightweight champion, winning the promotion's Season Four tournament along the way. His fights tend to be short, loud and decided by somebody's chin.
Chandler, rating by rating
Boxing. His best number. He knocked out Benson Henderson in 2020, and a front kick finished Tony Ferguson in 2022.
Kickboxing. Solid, and the Ferguson front kick shows he can hurt people with his legs too.
Wrestling. A real base. Four trips to the NCAA tournament back this up, and he choked Marcin Held unconscious in the 2011 tournament.
BJJ. The soft spot. He has plenty of submission wins from his Bellator days, but nobody drafts him for back control.
Strength. Heavy for the weight. He carries collegiate wrestler power into every exchange.
Durability. He stayed in a back-and-forth war with Justin Gaethje in 2021, though Charles Oliveira and Dustin Poirier both finished him.
Cardio. Good enough for the long haul. He went five rounds with Oliveira in 2024 and lost a unanimous decision.
Fight IQ. He tends to find an opening early. His debut against Dan Hooker in 2021 ended in the first round.
Boxing is the trump card
At 90, boxing is the highest number on his card, and it fits how he gets fights done. His first-round knockout of Dan Hooker earned him a bonus in his debut. Tony Ferguson went down to a front kick. Benson Henderson was knocked out in the first round. If your lineup needs a fighter who can end a round without warning, he does that.
Grappling off his back is where he gets exposed: BJJ
His BJJ sits at 76, the lowest number he has. Dustin Poirier choked him in the third round of their 2022 fight, and Oliveira stopped him early in the second round when they met in 2021. Against a strong submission grappler, he has to avoid the mat or he loses the tools that make him dangerous.
Keep exploring
Closest lightweight profiles to Michael Chandler, measured by how near their peak attribute ratings sit across all eight categories.
- Eddie Alvarezbest boxing 90 · weakest bjj 78
- Gray Maynardbest wrestling 90 · weakest kickboxing 72
- Al Iaquintabest boxing 86 · weakest bjj 76
- Francisco Trinaldobest boxing 84 · weakest fight iq 80
- Lightweight division guide: how the whole division rates and who to draft from it.
- Grappling vs striking in the draft: a guide that fits Michael Chandler's strongest attribute, Boxing.
Draft Michael Chandler into your build
Michael Chandler enters the pool on any spin landing on lightweight between 2020 and present. Spin, draft eight attributes, then simulate 25 fights.
Ratings shown are my own estimates, made with AI assistance and informed by how Michael Chandler is regarded by the MMA community. They are unofficial and do not constitute an assessment of Michael Chandler's real-world abilities. How the ratings are made. See the disclaimer below. Ratings and write-ups by Haaris A. Last reviewed 2026-09-30; spot an error? Tell us. Read our editorial standards.