Dustin Poirier Buries the Hatchet With Michael Chandler While Asking Him to Hang Up Gloves

UFC legend Dustin Poirier calls for Michael Chandler to retire while revealing that he is no longer at odds with the former Bellator star.

Dustin Poirier Buries the Hatchet With Michael Chandler While Asking Him to Hang Up Gloves

Dustin Poirier questions Michael Chandler (via Yahoo Sports)

Throughout his 14-year UFC career, Dustin Poirier built several fierce rivalries and never shied away from trash talk. One of his most notable feud during the latter stages of his career remained with Michael Chandler. While Poirier has now retired, Chandler continues competing despite repeated setbacks.

Poirier and Chandler finally settled their rivalry at UFC 281 in November 2022 after months of heated exchanges. Their lightweight clash quickly became one of the year’s most entertaining fights, featuring momentum swings throughout. Poirier ultimately secured a third-round rear-naked choke submission, earning one of the biggest victories of his career over the former Bellator champion.

Since losing to Poirier in 2022, Chandler has lost all three of his subsequent UFC appearances, falling to 0-3 during that stretch. The 40-year-old most recently suffered a knockout loss to Mauricio Ruffy at UFC Freedom 250, extending his difficult run. Following Chandler’s latest setback, Poirier questioned his decision to continue competing and wondered what still motivates his longtime rival to keep fighting.

With all due respect, we’ve buried the hatchet and shook hands, but Michael Chandler, what are you doing? I saw a thing; I don’t know if this is official news, but he said he might move up to welterweight. If 155ers are stopping you and you’re taking all this damage, what are 170s gonna do? I want to know what he’s fighting for.

Dustin Poirier via Deep Waters

The rivalry intensified after UFC 281, with Poirier repeatedly criticizing Chandler’s conduct during their fight. Poirier accused Chandler of fish-hooking his mouth during grappling exchanges. He also alleged ‘Iron’ intentionally blew blood and mucus from his nose into his face, fueling a fierce lightweight feud.

Chandler refused to apologize for the alleged fish-hooking incident after UFC 281, insisting it was not intentional. He defended the controversial exchanges after the fight instead of expressing regret. His stance led the former interim champion to repeatedly call out Chandler’s conduct in the months that followed.

However, Poirier later softened his stance by questioning Dana White‘s decision to move on from Chandler’s long-awaited fight with Conor McGregor. The former Bellator star had waited years for the matchup while remaining available. Despite their rivalry, ‘The Diamond’ believed Chandler deserved that opportunity.

Chandler now holds a 2-6 UFC record after his recent defeat to Mauricio Ruffy. Despite the difficult run, the Missouri native has made it clear he has no plans to retire. Instead, Chandler remains committed to competing and believes he still has more to accomplish inside the Octagon.

Dustin Poirier retired after his final fight at UFC 318, ending his 14-year UFC career. Having experienced the demands of competing at an older age, he understands the challenges veterans face. The future UFC Hall Of Famer later clarified he meant no disrespect, only urging Michael Chandler to consider his family and long-term future.

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Dustin Poirier details his father’s deteriorating relationship with family members

Throughout his career, Dustin Poirier has openly discussed mental health and its importance. Since retiring, the former UFC interim lightweight champion has admitted struggling to adjust to life outside competition. Poirier has also spoken about the mental challenges that followed retirement.

Poirier recently made headlines after being arrested for public intoxication at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta. The retired UFC star was denied boarding a Delta flight before police responded to the scene. He was later booked on a public intoxication charge and released on bond.

Dustin Poirier talks about post-retirement life
Dustin Poirier talks about post-retirement life (via Bloody Elbow)

Poirier later revealed his mental health was heavily influenced by his father’s longtime alcoholism. He explained his father is currently homeless, and the situation constantly weighs on his mind. Poirier recently described how his father’s addiction damaged his relationships with the family over time.

I would buy [my father] a house if he was willing to get sober… He’s at the point where he’s choosing alcohol over [everything]… He has grandkids, great grandkids that he’s never met because of alcohol, and it just sucks, man… He wants to drink until he dies.

Dustin Poirier via The Ariel Helwani Show

Following his arrest, Dustin Poirier publicly acknowledged that he needed help and admitted retirement had been difficult to handle. He committed to addressing his struggles instead of allowing alcohol to control his life. ‘The Diamond’ has since explained that he wants to focus on his family and recovery moving forward.

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