Daniel Cormier believes Michael Chandler faces more pressure than headliner Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 314.
Speaking on his Good Guy/Bad Guy show with Chael Sonnen, Cormier argued that while Chandler’s UFC losses have been to top-tier opponents, a defeat against Paddy Pimblett would be a significant setback.
“You cannot lose to the next generation guy,” Cormier stated.
Cormier highlighted Chandler’s history in the UFC, noting his two wins and four losses against fighters like Charles Oliveira, Dustin Poirier, and Justin Gaethje. He believes that another loss to a rising star like Pimblett would change the narrative surrounding Chandler’s career.
With that, “DC” thinks Chandler has more pressure on him in Miami than Volkanovski, who is coming off two consecutive knockout losses.
“I asked you earlier if the most pressure was on Volk, it’s not, and I said I believe Chandler has more pressure,” Cormier said. “You want me to tell you why? Michael Chandler has found himself in a very, very hard-to-reach bit of company. He’s that guy that, win or lose, nothing really affects him, right? If he wins, people go, ‘Wow, that’s amazing.’ Knocked out Dan Hooker, kicked Tony Ferguson in the face. If he loses – man, him and Charles Oliveira, he had him. It was this close, about to become the champion, Charles got him.
“Eh, not that big of a deal. Him and Dustin Poirier, he loses. ‘Oh, that was a great fight,’ but Dustin got the job done, submitted him. He fought Justin Gaethje, that was a tremendous fight, but Gaethje won. Charles Oliveira, he stood up with him and slammed him backwards. What I’m getting at, Chael, is Michael Chandler has fought in the UFC six times. He’s won twice. If he loses again, now you’re not losing to Justin Gaethje, Dustin Poirier, Charles Oliveira. You’re losing to the next generation. You cannot lose to the next generation guy.”
Dustin Poirier will be an analyst at UFC 314, adding another layer to the event, given his past rivalry with Chandler.
