Few fighters bring the same intensity to the Octagon as Michael Chandler. The 38-year-old made his way to the UFC in 2021 after a stellar run outside the promotion that saw him claim the Bellator lightweight title 3-times! Since arriving in the Octagon, ‘Iron’ has put on incredible performances against Dan Hooker, Justin Gaethje, Tony Ferguson and Charles Oliveira.
However, the fighter who storms into the Octagon with boundless energy is also a devoted husband and father, inspired by a lineage of strength and resilience. His bond with his own father, Michael Chandler Sr., has left an undeniable mark on him—a bond now shaping the legacy he aims to pass on to his two adopted sons, Hap and Ace. These bonds continue to fuel his fighting spirit as we take a deeper look into the people who made Michael Chandler into the warrior he is today!
All about Michael Chandler’s father
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Born on April 24, 1986, Michael Chandler Jr. was born to Michael Chandler Sr. and his mother, Betty Chandler. He also has two brothers, Matthew and Eric, and one sister, Danielle. With German and Irish roots, Chandler was instilled with a relentless work ethic from a young age, a trait he attributed to his father.
In a recent interview with Ariel Helwani, Chandler revealed, “I wish everybody could see the vision I had for myself when I was in Jefferson County, Missouri, High Ridge, of what I thought a win would be, a good life would be, and I am on a completely different planet.”
He painted a picture of a life spent “barely getting by”, and “doing something that I hated”, and as Helwani mentioned being a carpenter as one of those jobs, Chandler opened up about his father’s struggles to provide for his family as Michael Sr. was a carpenter himself. He stated, “I respect my dad so much. He works so freaking hard. He’s gonna be in my corner.”
Chandler also shared a poignant memory of his father’s hands — strong, worn, and cracked from years of labor. “My dad has these big a** freaking meat cleaver hands, and they’re big, and they are cracked, and they’re dirty, and but they’re his hands.” he recalled, noting how they seemed to tell a story of dedication and sacrifice. For Chandler, those hands are more than a physical feature; they’re a metaphor for everything his father has taught him.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) November 12, 2024
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Is Michael Chandler's fighting spirit a testament to the power of a father's influence?
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Despite being worlds apart from the MMA cage, Michael Sr.’s work ethic and dedication have left a deep mark on Chandler and as ‘Iron’ shared in his interview, he’ll be present in his corner at UFC 309!
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Chandler’s parents motivated him to chase his dreams
Michael Chandler’s connection to his family goes beyond mere lineage, it’s the foundation for his success in all walks of life, especially in the hyper-competitive world of combat sports. The key to his championship aspirations? The work ethic of both of his parents, Michael Sr. and Betty.
In a past interview, Chandler had confessed, “But If I didn’t wake up every single morning that my mom and dad outworked me every single day, then I wouldn’t be where I am today. My dad was the hardest working man I know. The home that I grew up in High Ridge, Missouri that my dad built with his bare hands.” He also revealed that Michael Sr. took a different approach to raising his sons. How did he do that? ‘Iron’ shared that, “What home is with my dad, it’s either on a boat bass fishing or sitting in the woods around the campfire. That was the main bonding that me and my two brothers did with my dad.”
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Now, on November 16, Michael Chandler is set to take on Charles Oliveira in a rematch of their UFC 262 clash where he came up short against ‘Do Bronx’ for the vacant lightweight title. As he stated to Helwani, “One of the greatest things is, my dad will be in my corner. He’s not there he’s not there to tell me where to where to duck and where to dive and where to dodge and where to throw punches and whatever. It’s more just his presence, man. ”
With his father in his corner and the echoes of his family’s support resonating in his mind, the fans at Madison Square Garden for UFC 309 will see more than just a skilled fighter that night— they’ll witness a man fighting not only for himself but for the legacy of those who molded him!
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Is Michael Chandler's fighting spirit a testament to the power of a father's influence?