‘The devil on the other shoulder’ cost Michael Chandler wins

Anthony Smith believes Michael Chandler won’t be able to control himself against Charles Oliveira at UFC 309.

Chandler (23-8 MMA, 2-3 UFC) rematches Oliveira (34-10 MMA, 22-10 UFC) in Saturday’s UFC 309 (pay-per-view, ESPNews/Hulu/FX, ESPN+) co-main event at Madison Square Garden in New York. Chandler will look to avenge his 2021 loss to Oliveira where he was able to hurt the Brazilian in the 1st round but was knocked out just 19 seconds into the 2nd round. “Believe Me” podcast with Michael Bisping, Smith said Chandler’s tendency to fight and entertain is who he is as a fighter.

“Not a chance,” Smith said of Chandler, who fought smarter. “I think he wants to think he’s going to do it. When he fought Dustin Poirier, I was right behind Joe Rogan and I thought, ‘This is going to be a great fight. He’s going to fight smart.’ He tried. I was close enough where I could see him, I could hear his coaches, I could hear the corner working through the broadcast.

“When you listen to the stuff with Din (Thomas) and you see that he had this internal struggle where he knows he was just really successful with the wrestling, but this devil on the other shoulder is like, ‘ Just go on a break,’ and he can’t help it. I used to think he was trying to be exciting, and he’s not. It’s just who he is in here (his heart), and he can’t help it. “

Since coming over from Bellator, Chandler’s approach has resulted in four bonuses in five UFC appearances. His comprehensive war with Justin Gaethje at UFC 268 earned him Fight of the Year for 2021.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkies event hub for UFC 309.