Dustin Poirier criticized Michael Chandler for acting like a seasoned UFC veteran despite having only five fights with the promotion, while Chandler retorted that he lives “rent-free” in Poirier’s head, leading to a heated exchange between the two fighters.
Dustin Poirier didn’t mince words when addressing former opponent Michael Chandler in the latest back-and-forth between the UFC lightweights.
The latest altercation stemmed from Chandler suggesting that he’s living in Poirier’s head. This happened after the one-time UFC interim lightweight champion addressed him during an appearance on The MMA Hour.
During the interview, Poirier mocked Chandler for talking like he’s a savvy UFC veteran after only five fights with the promotion. “Who the f*ck is ‘we?’” Poirier said.
“You just got here, buddy. You’re not one of us. You’re not ‘we.’ I’ve been here.” He continued, “‘We’re good.’ Who’s we? Welcome to the UFC, dude.”
“You’ve got one win in the UFC. He’s not one of us,” Poirier added. “I’ve been cutting my teeth in the UFC since January of 2011, 2010.”
“He just got here,” he emphasized again. “Who is we? He’s speaking for the lightweight division? Muscle Milk Mike needs to chill.”
Chandler fired back by saying, “dues paid but I’m living rent free.”
When asked to respond, Poirier’s answer was succinct and offered little doubt about his feelings towards Chandler. The fighter he choked out at UFC 281 back in 2022.
“Man, f*ck Michael Chandler,” Poirier told MMA Fighting on Thursday. “Check your record, buddy.”
“That last ‘L’ two years ago is to the kid right here,” he added.
Chandler hasn’t fought since losing to Poirier as he continues to wait for an eventual showdown against Conor McGregor. They were announced as coaches on The Ultimate Fighter back in March 2023.
Sadly for Chandler, that fight still hasn’t materialized. McGregor first had to recover from a broken leg suffered in his own loss to Poirier back in 2021.
Then there was a six-month waiting period before competing again after getting back into the UFC’s anti-doping program.
The fight was finally scheduled for UFC 303 in June but McGregor suffered a broken toe that forced him off the card.
Meanwhile, Chandler remains in limbo as he continues to wait and hope that a new date for the McGregor fight gets announced.
Perhaps one day, Chandler might seek vengeance on Poirier in the cage. Especially with Poirier hinting at his career continuing despite considering retirement after his loss to lightweight champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 302.
“We’ll see,” Poirier said about his future. “I think I’m going to fight again.”