After his fight against Paddy Pimblett at UFC 314, Michael Chandler left the octagon before Bruce Buffer could even announce the result. However, he finally broke his silence with a brief statement released on social media on Monday.
The former UFC title challenger suffered a third-round stoppage loss to Pimblett, who dominated on the ground with a barrage of elbows and punches. This defeat marked Chandler’s third consecutive loss, bringing his UFC record to 2-5.
Although Chandler did not directly address the fight or his opponent, he emphasized that there are more important things to him than his UFC performance.
“Never out of the fight,” Chandler tweeted. “This picture says it all. As long as I have these heartbeats and hands to hold, I have already won.”
Never out of the fight. This picture says it all. As long as I have these heartbeats and hands to hold, I have already won. pic.twitter.com/q7F1gB4KhD
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) April 14, 2025
The photo shared by Chandler featured him holding hands with his son at the event, with his wife Brie capturing the moment. Following the fight, Chandler returned home to spend time with his newborn daughter.
As a father of three, Chandler’s family remains his top priority, especially after a challenging night in the UFC octagon.
Regarding his career, Chandler has not revealed his plans after the setback against Pimblett, signaling a tough road ahead for the former contender.
Despite the loss, UFC CEO Dana White commended Chandler for his resilience and exciting fights, likening him to the UFC’s Arturo Gatti, known for thrilling battles in boxing history.