Michael Chandler hits back after fan asks 'Iron' why he is a "dirty fighter"

Michael Chandler recently made the decision to engage with fans on X, holding a Q&A that led to a variety of questions. Unfortunately for 'Iron', one of those questions brought up his spotty record with rules inside the octagon.

The fan outright asked Chandler why he fights in such violation of the rules of MMA. Naturally, the former Bellator champion defended his integrity as a fighter, dismissing the fan's assessment of him as a dirty athlete.

Nevertheless, Chandler was respectful in response, allowing the aforementioned fan their opinion.

"Why are you a dirty fighter?"

Chandler, in response, opted against penning a lengthy statement. Instead, he merely asserted that he is not, in fact, a dirty fighter:

"I'm not. But people can have opinions"

The rhetoric that Chandler is a routine rule-breaker in MMA has intensified as of late. At UFC 309, he faced Charles Oliveira in a rematch. The bout was one of high stakes, with the winner headed for a likely lightweight title fight with the winner of UFC 311's expected Islam Makhachev vs. Arman Tsarukyan headliner.

During the fight, Chandler committed several offenses. Not only did he grab the fence in an attempt to stop an Oliveira takedown, which ultimately failed, but he also hooked his fingers inside Oliveira's glove. Perhaps his most egregious foul was hitting 'do Bronx' in the back of the head.

Back-of-the-head striikes are illegal and incredibly dangerous, having permanently damaged fighters in both MMA and even other sports. Despite the numerous instances of cheating, Chandler continues to dismiss the notion that he is a dirty fighter.

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Michael Chandler was accused of being a dirty fighter before

At UFC 281, Michael Chandler took on Dustin Poirier in a lightweight grudge match. 'The Diamond' emerged victorious via third-round submission, but it wasn't his win that dominated the post-fight commentary.

Instead, it was Chandler's conduct inside the cage, which was riddled with fouls.

He also struuck Poirier in the back of the head, but arguably the most damning instance of cheating saw him fish-hook Poirier.

Fish-hooking entails hooking one's fingers inside another individual's mouth, which Chandler did in an attempt to lift Poirier's chin and expose his neck for a rear-naked choke.

Fortunately for Poirier, he fought off Chandler's choke and submitted him in turn.