Michael Chandler was never the sort to second-guess himself. He fights instinctively, whether by pushing forward with reckless aggression or making split-second decisions that baffle fans. His rematch with Charles Oliveira at UFC 309 was no exception. With the clock ticking down and the scorecards stacked against him, ‘Iron’ decided to do the unexpected. ‘Iron’ lifted Charles Oliveira on his back and slammed himself on the mat. Twice. A move that got the crowd roaring, but it seems like it wasn’t out of desperation. In a recent interview, he revealed that the move was against Joe Rogan‘s advice, which he simply rejected. So, what did Rogan tell him?

“Hey, listen, the first one—I mean, the funny thing was, in my mind, I smiled a little bit and thought, ‘You know what? He’s got my back. I’m down on the scorecards. They said I shouldn’t do this, so I’m going to go ahead and do it,” Chandler told The Schmo. The JRE host had warned against it, calling it a bad idea, but ‘Iron’ was not having it. Instead, he did what he does best—he stole the moment. “I remember Joe Rogan saying in the first fight, ‘Oh, this is a horrible idea. Why did he do that?’ So I did it.” And he did not stop at one. After lifting up Oliveira and slamming him down, he looked at Hunter Campbell and Donald Trump at cageside, smiled, and did it again.

Of course, the decision did not alter the outcome. ‘Do Bronx’ still won, as he did in their first bout in 2021. Chandler’s final minutes, however, were about rebellion more than strategy. He admitted, “I get it. I lost the fight. I got bested. Charles Oliveira beat me,” he admitted. “But in that moment, it was a metaphor for: No matter how bad you’re down on the scorecards, no matter how bad and how heavy this weight is on your back—stand back to your feet. Get back up to your feet. Head up, chest up, shoulders back, and get back to your feet.” In his opinion, those slams were not about winning or losing, and who can blame him for being really satisfied with his decision? After all, it is he who puts his body on the line.

His ability to enjoy such recklessness—that’s what makes Michael Chandler different. ‘Iron’ separates himself from the crowd of fighters by having the ability to take pleasure in such risky behavior. He fights not merely to win but also to create moments that people will talk about for ages. While some may have questioned his decisions, he would not change a thing. Even if Joe Rogan believed it was a mistake and even if the judges disagreed, Chandler had one purpose that night: to enjoy to the fullest. And well, it seems like he surely did. Now, he is all geared up to enjoy his fight against Paddy Pimblett, and it seems like he has earned the support of none other than Dustin Poirier.

Dustin Poirier reveals his pick between Michael Chandler and Paddy Pimblett

Dustin Poirier may not be Michael Chandler’s biggest fan, but even he cannot ignore what is going to unfold at UFC 314. He’s seen enough to know that Paddy Pimblett is taking a big risk, and he’s made his position clear. “Even though he’s a b—-, Chandler all day go heavy on the money,” he wrote on X. That’s ‘The Diamond’ for you: blunt as ever. He may not like ‘Iron,’ but he recognizes a mismatch when he sees it. And, in his opinion, this is more than just a difficult fight for Pimblett; it’s a tragedy waiting to happen.

In all honesty, Chandler couldn’t care less about Poirier’s backhanded support. All that matters is the upcoming fight, and he’s already picturing how it will end. “He’ll know right away within the first exchange, he’s not stepping into the octagon with Bobby Green or Tony Ferguson. It’s just a different level,” he explained. It’s the same mindset he’s always had: quick, brutal, and uninterested in lengthy bouts. He wants to make a statement, and he believes it only requires one clean shot. “I hit harder, I wrestle better, and I fight at a different speed. First-round knockout— I guarantee it.”

What about Pimblett? Well, he’s built for situations like these. He’s heard this story before, about how he’s not prepared, good enough, or at this level. But ‘The Baddy’ always finds a way to prove people wrong. On paper, Chandler should crush him. However, fights aren’t won on paper. They are won in those chaotic, unpredictable moments, and Pimblett thrives in them. So, what do you think? Who will win the fight between the two? Let us know in the comments.