Michael Chandler broke his silence days after his devastating loss to Paddy Pimblett at UFC 314. The veteran lightweight took to Instagram to share an emotional reflection on the setback and life beyond the Octagon. His wife, Brie Chandler, responded with a heartfelt message that captured the unwavering support behind the fighter.
Paddy Pimblett overwhelmed Chandler with a dominant performance, stopping the former Bellator champion in the third round after a relentless barrage of strikes. Despite his extensive experience, Chandler was unable to find his rhythm, suffering one of the most one-sided defeats of his UFC tenure.
Wife Brie Chandler Shares Heartfelt Reaction to Michael Chandler’s Latest Post
In an Instagram post featuring a photo of his bloodied arm, his young son, Chandler, addressed the disappointment of his defeat with candor, “There are really no words to describe the pain and disappointment you feel…you just live in it…let it take its lot and leave you with what is left. From there, you rebuild… Bruised, bloodied and heartbroken, yet I have my soulmate by my side and 3 little hands to hold,” Chandler wrote.
Despite the setback, the lightweight contender maintained his fighting spirit. “Bested, but never beaten. Never out of the fight. Still in pursuit.”
Check out Michael Chandeler’s post below:
View this post on Instagram
Brie Chandler responded with a simple and supportive comment on her husband’s post: “Love you ❤️”
She further amplified her support by sharing ‘Iron’s statement on her Instagram story and writing, “Literally, you are the best I know.”
Paddy Pimblett Accuses Michael Chandler of Foul Play Following UFC 314
While Chandler processes the defeat, his opponent has raised concerns about conduct during their fight. In post-event media appearances, Pimblett specifically called out what he perceived as illegal techniques.
“I like Mike, he’s a nice fella. He’s very respectful and nice outside the cage but when he gets in it, he hit me with about four punches in the back of the head in the first round. Nothing even got said to him. You never know, he might have kicked me [in the groin] on purpose because he needed a little break.”
Check out Paddy Pimblett’s comments below:
"He hit me with about four punches in the back of the head."
Paddy Pimblett says Michael Chandler's groin shot wasn't the only foul committed at #UFC314. pic.twitter.com/j4fMifbhTZ
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) April 13, 2025
The allegations aren’t unprecedented in Chandler’s UFC tenure. Previous opponents, including Dustin Poirier, Justin Gaethje, and Charles Oliveira, have made similar claims about tactics, including alleged eye pokes and illegal strikes.
For Pimblett, the victory extends his undefeated UFC record to seven straight wins and potentially positions him for title contention in the competitive 155-pound division.
In his post-fight octagon interview, Pimblett made his championship aspirations clear with a fiery callout:
“Anyone in the top four, top five (is who I want next). I want that world title. Laugh all you want and say I’ll never be champ, just like you said I’ll never get ranked, I’ll never be in the top 10.
Well what now, you gang of mushrooms? I want Dustin (Poirier), Justin (Gaethje), Charles (Oliveira) or the little posh boy Arman (Tsarukyan) – any of them four. I respect Dustin, Justin, and Charles. Charles is the biggest legend out of them all, and he gets called the best submission artist the UFC’s ever seen, but I dispute that. I’m here. So, me vs. Charles. (Expletive) Arman. He’s a little helmet, (expletive) that sausage.”
Meanwhile, Chandler now finds himself at a critical career juncture with a 1-5 record in his last six UFC appearances.