Michael Chandler lastly returned from a two-year layoff after it turned clear that he wasn’t going to combat Conor McGregor any time quickly — if ever — so he booked a rematch towards Charles Oliveira with hopes {that a} win might vault him again into title rivalry.
Sadly, issues didn’t go Chandler’s means after he finally misplaced a lopsided choice regardless of a late comeback try within the fifth and ultimate spherical. The loss dropped him to 1-4 in his previous 5 fights however don’t count on former opponent Brent Primus to root for Chandler to show issues round.
Primus’ disdain for Chandler is properly documented after they fought twice beneath the Bellator banner and whereas each have moved on with their careers, it doesn’t imply the previous rivalry simply ends as a result of they aren’t preventing in the identical group any longer.
“Man, he seemed like crap in his final combat,” Primus stated about Chandler’s loss when talking to MMA Preventing. “I couldn’t imagine that. I feel Chandler seemed like crap. His footwork, he was falling in every single place. He was throwing his proper hand like he was throwing a baseball. I used to be not impressed along with his efficiency. His callout was type of cringey.
“I don’t like that man. I feel Chandler, he’s a cheater. I really feel like he’s a unclean fighter. I simply don’t like that man in any respect. Watching Oliveira decide him aside like that it was type of enjoyable to see for positive. I preferred it.”
Falling to Oliveira isn’t precisely a foul loss however Primus says his criticism aimed toward Chandler is extra about how he really seemed within the combat.
Whether or not it was recreation plan, execution or maybe simply getting back from an prolonged layoff, Primus believes Chandler simply misplaced a step when he confronted off with Oliveira at UFC 309.
“There was one or two rounds that would have been 10-8 rounds,” Primus stated. “Chandler, that’s what occurs if you take two years off ready for anyone. You can completely inform the ring rust in him and I simply assume he seemed like crap. His ft weren’t beneath him, he was type of falling in every single place. He tripped on the cage. He wasn’t organising his punches. He was telegraphing them. He seemed like he was throwing a baseball.
“It was type of an embarrassing efficiency from Chandler. You sit out for 2 years and await anyone, that’s what occurs.”
Primus gained’t deny that at his very best Chandler was a compelled to be reckoned with however he simply doesn’t see that very same stage of fighter any longer.
It’s additionally protected to say Primus simply doesn’t assume a lot of Chandler personally or professionally so even when he was victorious, there’s little likelihood he would have celebrated that win.
“That man’s such a dishonest little punk,” Primus stated. “I can’t stand that man. I heard Dustin Poirier say he doesn’t wish to combat him as a result of he’s only a soiled cheater. Placing his fingers in his eyes and blowing blood in his eyes. Chandler positively was a great fighter and nonetheless in all probability is however he seemed like he had plenty of ring rust in him.
“I simply assume he’s a unclean cheater. Only a soiled cheater man and if he’s not going to win or have his means, he’s going to make up excuses and attempt to cheat. I used to be fairly blissful to see Oliveira decide him aside like that. Oliveira’s the person.”
With Chandler within the UFC and Primus about to compete for the $1 million prize within the finals of the 2024 PFL season on Friday, there’s little or no likelihood these two ever cross paths once more.
Primus admits Chandler is the one which bought away earlier than they might meet for a 3rd time.
“After we fought in Hawaii and he gained the belt again from me in that call win. I used to be within the again and my supervisor stated ‘Bellator needs to know if you wish to combat him once more, they need a 3rd combat,’” Primus revealed. “I used to be like hell yeah, let’s go. Let’s do that.
“It by no means occurred. He went to the UFC shortly after that however that’s one combat I might positively take for positive.”
So far as his personal profession goes, Primus has lengthy since moved on from the Chandler combat and he’s bought an opportunity to make life-changing cash when he competes on Friday. If all goes properly, Primus hopes to go away Saudi Arabia with a PFL title belt, a seven-figure paycheck and a few assurances that he might doubtlessly have one other rematch awaiting him sooner or later.
In January, Bellator light-weight champion Usman Nurmagomedov defends his title towards Paul Hughes in an occasion happening in Dubai. Primus has historical past with Nurmagomedov after struggling a loss to him again in 2023 however the end result was overturned after the undefeated Russian examined optimistic for a banned substance.
Primus wished to win the PFL title after which simply instantly shift gear for a rematch towards Nurmagomedov but when he has to attend somewhat longer to make that occur, so be it.
“I need that combat once more,” Primus stated about Nurmagomedov. “I might like to combat Usman. This [fight against Paul Hughes] was type of a shock. That is Paul’s [third] combat with Bellator and he’s getting a title combat. I do know he beat up A.J. [McKee], which is a tricky man, so I used to be shocked and somewhat disillusioned.
“However on the identical time, it’s simply motivation for me. I’m going to go win this title, win this million {dollars}, if they need me to combat the winner of that combat, I’m all there and I’d be blissful to. I’ll be excited to for positive.”
