Dustin Poirier Taken Aback by Dana White’s Stunning Decision to Snub Michael Chandler

UFC lightweight veteran Dustin Poirier highlights Michael Chandler's career after the latter was snubbed from the Conor McGregor fight.

Dustin Poirier Taken Aback by Dana White’s Stunning Decision to Snub Michael Chandler

Dustin Poirier questions Jorge Masvidal overtaking Michael Chandler for superfight (via Bloody Elbow, MMA Mania)

🔍 Explore this post with:

ChatGPTPerplexityGrok AIGoogle AI

Michael Chandler joined the UFC in 2021 as a former three-time Bellator lightweight champion with high expectations. His run has stalled, with two wins in seven UFC appearances despite major matchups. Momentum slowed after a long pursuit of Conor McGregor that never materialized and was recently shut down by UFC CEO Dana White.

This resulted in veteran Dustin Poirier recently speaking about this same stalled UFC trajectory for the Missouri native. For the unversed, Chandler and McGregor coached opposite teams on season 31 of The Ultimate Fighter in 2023, setting up an eventual showdown.

Their rivalry was formalized when they were booked to fight at UFC 303. The bout was scheduled as a welterweight contest and heavily promoted by the UFC as McGregor’s return to the Octagon. However, it was ultimately canceled after the Irishman suffered a toe injury shortly before the event.

The feud resurfaced after Chandler called out McGregor for the June 2026 UFC White House event. When asked, White dismissed the idea, indicating the matchup had long passed its window. Attention then shifted as discussions emerged about Jorge Masvidal possibly facing McGregor, following his address of the likelihood. Poirier recently spoke about how these developments may affect Chandler’s career.

I was surprised when I saw Dana say that. I was like, damn, I thought that was a sure thing. It sucks for him, man, because so many months—or years—have been wasted waiting for this fight. And he’s not a young man. I think Masvidal is slicker on the feet. He can make things happen in there. I think the Chandler fight is a great matchup for Conor. I think it’s a layup.

Dustin Poirier via The Ariel Helwani Show

Poirier’s comments stem from Chandler’s recent UFC trajectory, which has taken a sharp downturn. The Missouri native is currently on a three-fight losing streak at lightweight. It began with a submission loss to Poirier and continued with a unanimous decision defeat to Charles Oliveira at UFC 309 in their rematch.

Chandler’s most recent setback was a knockout loss to current interim title contender Paddy Pimblett at UFC 314. ‘Iron’ remained confident that the McGregor fight would take place at the White House and believed negotiations were nearing completion.

That optimism faded after Dana White stated matchmaking for the event would not begin until February 2026. The timeline effectively ruled out ‘Iron’ as a serious contender for the bout. As a result, a fight against the ‘Notorious One’ now appears unlikely for Chandler.

Michael Chandler is now 39 years old and has stayed active outside the UFC, including a win over Chad Mendes at RAF 03. Even so, his long-term UFC outlook has narrowed as losses and delays accumulated. With Dustin Poirier having retired last year, his recent comments carry added credibility. They highlight the physical strain and shrinking margins that define late-stage careers in combat sports.

Dustin Poirier gets candid about his post-retirement life

Dustin Poirier officially retired following his loss to Max Holloway at UFC 318, which not only marked the end of their trilogy but also closed the final chapter of his UFC career.

The bout marked his last appearance inside the Octagon after almost two decades at the elite level. Poirier’s UFC run spanned more than a decade, and he exited the sport as one of the division’s most accomplished veterans.

Dustin Poirier on possible return
Dustin Poirier on possible return (via GQ)

Since retiring, Poirier has been vocal about how much he misses competing in the Octagon. He has kept busy by spending time with his family and pursuing personal interests outside of fighting. ‘The Diamond’ remains closely connected to the UFC as an analyst, offering insights on events and fighters. He recently spoke to Ariel Helwani about his transition, leading into his reflections on retirement.

Life’s good, it’s just weird. I miss it every day, man. It’s a constant tug-of-war in my head. Some days I wake up wishing I had a fight to look forward to. Every day I’m battling—battling myself about wanting to fight. Just trying to figure out what fills that void, man.

Dustin Poirier via The Ariel Helwani show

There were widespread rumors about a potential return or retirement U-turn for the Louisiana native. Fans and media speculated about possible comeback fights or a one-final-run in the UFC, given his passion for the sport.

Despite the chatter, Poirier has repeatedly stated that he is fully done with professional competition. His comments make it clear that his focus is now entirely on life outside MMA.

Also Read: