UFC star Michael Chandler desperately needs a win in 2025.
The former three-time Bellator champion has lost three fights in a row to some of the world’s best lightweights, including Dustin Poirier, Charles Oliveira (twice), and Paddy Pimblett—the worst losing skid of his MMA career.
Granted, Michael Chandler has been here before, rebounding from back-to-back losses to Will Brooks and Eddie Alvarez with a win over the all-action Derek Campos a decade ago.
Following his TKO loss to Pimblett at UFC 314, Chandler has been called out by an unranked, yet exciting lightweight who’s never gone the distance.
Terrance McKinney challenges Michael Chandler: ‘Time for a new man of the house’
Win, lose, or draw, Terrance McKinney has made an exciting addition to the UFC lightweight division.
McKinney won his UFC debut by 7-second knockout in 2021 and has racked up seven finishes in the Octagon. In his pro career, McKinney has only left the first round four times. He’s never seen the judges’ scorecards, having lost by knockout and submission on multiple occasions.
The lightweight called out Chandler following his latest loss to see who the division’s best first round fighter is.
“Your sons all grown up time for a new man of the house,” McKinney wrote on X, as Chandler’s adopted son is African-American.
“lol twrecks vs iron Mike let’s see who is the best first rd’er in the lightweight division.”
“And if he thinks I’m a easy fight even more reason to take it he needs a W on a 6 fight losing streak,” McKinney added.
Chandler is actually on a three-fight losing streak. However, it looks like McKinney doesn’t think much of Chandler’s 2022 KO win over Tony Ferguson, who left the UFC with the longest losing skid in company history (8).
“We don’t count one of those Ws,” McKinney responded to a fan who said Chandler was 2-5 in the UFC.
McKinney is coming off back-to-back stoppage wins over Damir Hadzovic and Viacheslav Borshchev.
Michael Chandler reveals timeline for UFC return
McKinney or anybody else wanting to fight Chandler for that matter, might have to wait a minute.
Chandler told The Schmo in a recent interview he is currently adjusting to a new family dynamic, welcoming a new daughter to his family.
Chandler had hoped to make up for lost time after waiting two years for the Conor McGregor fight that got cancelled last summer, however, the former Bellator champion is now looking forward to some down time.
“I’m enjoying the summer right now,” Chandler said.
“Nothing is scheduled. No names on the table. No dates on the table.
“I told [UFC], don’t call me till at least the fall…
“As far as actually stepping back in the Octagon, probably not till the end of the year, if not the first of next year,” Chandler said of his UFC return date.