UFC star Michael Chandler vows the ‘best is yet to come’ and insists his ‘journey is far from over’ after second-round knockout defeat against Charles Oliveira in lightweight title fight
- Michael Chandler has vowed to reach the top after losing to Charles Oliveira
- Chandler was knocked out by Oliveira in the second round at UFC 262 in Texas
- The American said: ‘The best is yet to come and this journey is far from over’
A bruised Michael Chandler has vowed the best is yet to come after being knocked out in his first world title shot against Charles Oliveira at UFC 262.
The 35-year-old had Oliveira badly shaken in the first round but the Brazilian staged a stunning turnaround to force a stoppage in the second session.
The defeat saw Chandler miss out on the opportunity to be crowned the UFC’s new lightweight champion, but the American remains upbeat about his future.
Michael Chandler was in high spirits despite his face being badly bruised from UFC 262 loss
Taking to Instagram, Chandler said in a video: ‘Hitting the ground running after a tough weekend, a tough loss, falling short, a great opportunity that we missed the mark, and that’s just the way life is.
‘Sometimes, life’s going to deal you those kinds of things. Sometimes, you’re going to encounter scars, bruises – but the scars and bruises remind them that you’re still here, you’ve still got a smile on your face, and you’re still moving forward with complete disregard to previous failures and future opposition.’
In a message addressing his fans posted alongside the video, he wrote: ‘I’LL(still)SEE YOU AT THE TOP! A message to you… you’re the reason I do this.
‘The sun rose a little more painfully the last two days, but I have the most important things in life in abundance.
The American was knocked out by Charles Oliveira in lightweight title fight at the weekend
The Brazilian became lightweight champion of the world after his second-round TKO victory
‘Support, love, health and hope. The best is yet to come and this journey is far from over.’
Chandler, who had won three fights on the bounce in the UFC before Saturday’s defeat in Texas, has acted gracious in defeat, having hailed Oliveira as a world-class fighter.
‘I just felt like I was in the right moment,’ Chandler said. ‘A smile was on my face again. I feel like I am fighting on borrowed time still.
‘You know, there was moments in my career where I never thought I’d end up here. I never thought that the door would open.
35-year-old Chandler has vowed to bounce back and reach the top after this setback
‘And now it has and the first one was the highest of highs and this ones… it is not the lowest of lows.
‘Because Charles Oliveira is a world class fighter, and fighting for the UFC title is a world class opportunity. But as my son knows, every young man falls but every young man gets back up.
‘The sun will rise tomorrow when I fly home without the belt. We’ve got some explaining to do but we’re going to figure it out.’