Henry Cejudo believes time may be catching up with both himself and Michael Chandler.
The former two-division UFC Champion sees similarities between his own situation and Michael Chandler`s. Both 38-year-old fighters are currently on a three-fight losing streak, with two of those losses against former champions, yet they both remain in the top 10 of their respective weight divisions.
Chandler`s recent loss, his third in a row, came at UFC 314 in the co-main event against Paddy Pimblett.
Pimblett, ranked #12, dominated Chandler, inflicting a bloody defeat and securing a TKO victory in the third round against the former Bellator champion.
Chandler`s performance at UFC 314 was notably poor, with Michael Bisping describing it as a ‘career-killer’. Josh Thomson also commented, stating Chandler looked ‘done’ and ‘washed’ after losing to Pimblett.
Henry Cejudo Advises Michael Chandler to Consider Retirement
Henry Cejudo, facing similar career crossroads, expressed his desire for one more fight before retiring from MMA. He hopes to avoid serious injuries, referencing the eye damage he sustained in his recent loss to Song Yadong.
Regarding Chandler`s next steps, Cejudo suggests he consider a similar path, hinting at retirement.
He emphasized Chandler`s history of engaging in demanding fights throughout his careers in both Bellator and UFC.
“I’m 0-3. So I get it, Chandler,” Cejudo acknowledged in an interview with MMA Junkie.
“He probably has to get one more and just consider retirement,” Cejudo stated.
“That’s a lot of beatings, man.”
Henry Cejudo Believes Michael Chandler ‘Could Have Been the Best’
Michael Chandler joined the UFC relatively late in his career, shortly before turning 35. A former three-time Bellator champion, Chandler came close to UFC title glory in only his second fight, against Charles Oliveira, before losing by TKO.
Chandler has also delivered memorable battles against Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje, but ultimately fell short of victory in each instance.
“I think Chandler could have been the best in the world,” Cejudo reflected on Chandler’s potential.
“He’s too much of a crowd pleaser and that has really bit him in the ass.”
Cejudo questions how long the UFC will continue to support Michael Chandler if his losing streak continues.
“Mike Perry was a crowd pleaser too,” Cejudo noted, referencing Mike Perry’s departure from the UFC in 2021 after a series of entertaining fights.
“There’s only a certain time before the UFC just says, ‘Hey man, thank you for pleasing us, but we gotta move on…’”
“I feel like Chandler, they’re probably gonna at this point, maybe the UFC might give him a younger guy, and that’s typically what happens in this game,” Cejudo concluded.
