Michael Chandler highlights his competitive spirit and resilience despite UFC losses: "I put butts in seats"

Michael Chandler hasn't had the most successful run in the UFC, at least from a purely competitive standpoint. He has, however, forged himself into one of the promotion's biggest stars, which he mentioned during his latest interview on The Ariel Helwani Show.

His fan-friendly, all-action style and intensity on the mic have endeared him to many in the MMA fanbase, rendering him one of the most talked-about fighters on the UFC roster. Unfortunately, he hasn't been able to replicate his popularity into consistent success inside the octagon.

Chandler, though, remains as confident as ever, despite his rough patch:

"I think the competitor in me, and even just the calling on my life, I believe I reach more people, and more people are drawn to my story and who I am, where I started from and where I have come from and if I win. With that being said, I've only lost to three guys in the UFC, all of which have been ranked top two in the world when I lost to them. So, it's not as though I'm going out there and losing to I shouldn't be losing to so to speak."

Besides reminding his detractors that he has only lost to the very best in the lightweight division, Chandler also highlighted himself as a pay-per-view draw:

"I like Dana [White] calling me the Arturo Gatti [of the UFC]. I am must-see TV, I sell pay-per-views, I put butts in seats and I blow the roof off of every single arena I've ever been on a Saturday night with a UFC number attached to it."

Check out Michael Chandler reviewing his UFC run (18:37 and 20:20):

While Chandler has indeed become one of the most well-known fighters on the roster, he has struggled to impose himself in the rankings. His only wins were knockouts of Dan Hooker, who was on a losing streak at the time, and a declining Tony Ferguson, who was also on a losing streak.

---

Michael Chandler's UFC run has failed to deliver on his own promises

Michael Chandler's time in the UFC is, by no means, a failure. After all, he has become a bonafide star in his own right and excites fans inside the octagon whether he wins or loses.

Unfortunately, he has made various claims and promises that he has failed to realize.

Chandler has vowed, at several points, to capture the UFC lightweight title and defeat certain fighters, but coming up short.

While he is a former three-time Bellator lightweight champion, his failure to find championship success in the UFC continues to plague him. And at 38 years old, it remains to be seen if he can earn another shot at doing so.