Former UFC standout Michael Chandler experienced a gruesome bulge on his left limb following a gut-wrenching faceoff with Charles Oliveira. The rematch, much-anticipated by followers, featured the ex-lightweight titleholder earlier this month. The bout acted as the penultimate of UFC 309 at the iconic Madison Square Garden. Breaking a hiatus of two years from the fighting scene, Chandler put up a stiff fight but eventually conceded to a unanimous ruling in favor of the Brazilian.
Despite a laudable contention and coming precariously close to an upset victory in the final round, Chandler fell short. The one-time awesome champion of Bellator’s 155 lbs category was subjected to a brutal barrage of Muay Thai offensive tactics by Oliveira, incorporative of punishing leg-low kicks. Experience from the battering the leading limb took from the punitive low kicks still lingers, resulting in considerable edema.
Chandler, at the age of 38, acted as a willing audience to his own injuries, showing off the shocking outcome on social media. He posted visuals depicting the interaction of his fingers with the swollen area of his lower leg, revealing the collapsing indentations that it formed. This unexpected sight generated a flurry of responses from the expansive mixed martial arts community.
One observer’s response bordered on amusement, marvelling at the surreal circumstances with a comment reading ‘Wow, that’s insane, it’s my first time seeing such a thing.’ Another’s reaction swayed towards the biblical: ‘Good Lord.’ A third party exclaimed with technical precision: ‘That’s some sort of a severe Edema.’ A different user interjected, ‘Blimey.’ Someone else joined the conversation: ‘His leg is akin to a water-absorbing material.’
Besides the opted spotlight on his inflamed limb, Chandler also suffered other worrying impacts from his Madison Square Garden skirmish with the well-admired Oliveira. Now considered a top contender for the lightweight championship belt, Oliveira’s encounter with Chandler resulted in the latter experiencing haematuria – he was urinating blood. Sharing details with Barstool Sports, he was quoted saying: ‘My body, the most pain I’ve ever been in my entire life.’
Others might have called it quits, but not Chandler. Despite enduring ‘The most injuries I have ever had in a fight, without a doubt,’ he told the media outlet. He confessed to suffering extreme bodily inflammation and admittance to the condition of his urine, which had taken on various disconcerting hues due to the presence of blood.
His urine samples taken before and after the fight revealed a disturbing picture. The initial one delivered a relatively light tint to his drug test which was conducted by New York’s drug testing authority. A follow-up test revealed the presence of blood, inciting a laughter from Chandler himself as he jovially implied, ‘I tested positive for blood.’ However, what followed was anything but amusing.
The second sample Chandler referred to had the deep shade of beet-juice – an alarming indication about the severity of his internal injuries. Most parts of his body were smarting with pain, but a particular problem that grabbed his attention was his knee. He suspected some form of unusual incident transpired with his knee after the initial clash that led to a kneebar.
He continued, ‘I believe an unidentified incident with the knee happened in that first swap where he grappled my leg. This resulted in a complete rotation, followed by the kneebar maneuver. The fight continued and as I walked back to my corner, I noticed something odd with my left leg.’ There were an array of issues; it was not stepping right, there was no proper grip and overall stability was questionable.
‘It felt strange having to accept that my leg, for approximately 23 minutes of the battle, was not functioning as it should have,’ Chandler reflected with a hint of sadness. Despite the discomfort, he pushed forward, refusing to bow down. Yet, nurses and doctors marveled at his ability to withstand such a grueling fight with a leg that was, in his own words, ‘not working right.’
One of the most admirable aspects of Chandler’s grueling experience was his resilience despite the odds, his fight against Oliveira served as testimony to his resolve as a competitor, regardless of the severe injury. The swelling on his leg and the concerning condition of his health serve as heavy reminders of that unforgettable night at UFC 309, the Madison Square Garden incident will forever be marked as a pinnacle of pain and passion in Chandler’s career.
Nevertheless, Michael Chandler will continue to be known as an impassioned gladiator, revered for the intensity he brings to the arena and his unyielding spirit. UFC 309 made an indelible mark on his record and life – as a day he subjected his body to horrifying pain and emerged, victorious in defeat, his spirit unbroken against the unstoppable Oliveira. His story oddly evokes a sense of respect and admiration among his peers, fans, and aspiring fighters, marking his trail with priceless lessons in the unforgiving arena of fighting.
With his legacy being a continuous source of inspiration for younger fighters, Chandler’s skirmish with Oliveira will be recalled as an exemplary display of determination. It underscored the fact that in the world of UFC, it’s not just about winning or losing. It’s about stepping into the ring and giving it your all, until the last bell rings. No matter the outcome, Michael Chandler proved once more that he can withstand even the harsh realities of the fight.
Everyone in the world of Mixed Martial Arts now has a deeper understanding of what it means to be a fighter like Michael Chandler – of the fortitude it takes to look defeat in the face and continue to fight. His battle with Oliveira, with all its grueling aftermath and effects, has perhaps transformed his public perception more than any victory ever could. It is true that in the octagon, you don’t lose when you fall; you lose when you refuse to rise.
The remarkable events of UFC 309 firmly embedded Chandler’s name as not just a contender, but a fighter who would push his limits, no matter the physical cost. His experience, as painful as it was, put in display his tenacity which has turned into a tale that will inspire future contestants. Irrespective of the significant injury and unsettling health manifestations post-fight, Michael Chandler continues his journey as a stalwart within the Mixed Martial Arts community, proving that it’s not about how many times you fall – it’s about how many times you get up.