Tom Aspinall has some pointers for Michael Chandler.
Chandler, a three-time Bellator champion and one-time UFC lightweight title challenger, is currently in a career-worst slump with just one win in his past six outings. Most recently, he lost to Paddy Pimblett at UFC 314 in April, succumbing to strikes in the third round.
Aspinall recently posted a workout video on his YouTube channel featuring Pimblett, and he had his own theory as to why Chandler is struggling.
“It’s bad fight IQ. … It’s weird because he’s obviously a really fit guy, but if you do a sprint for five minutes, no one’s going to be fit, are they?” Aspinall said. “He just goes out there, he throws from here, swinging, everything he does is picking up full blast.
“It’s mad for someone who has that many fights, I’m just surprised.”
In seven UFC appearances, Chandler has picked up five post-fight bonuses (including three Fight of the Night awards) despite his poor record. His all-out style has endeared him to fans and earned him several high-profile matchups, but Aspinall thinks he could be more efficient especially when it comes to cutting down on showy slams and wild haymakers.
Aspinall recalled seeing Chandler’s loss to Charles Oliveira at UFC 309 and it was then that he knew Pimblett could beat him.
“I was watching him thinking, ‘There’s no way Paddy loses to this guy,’” Aspinall said. “I know a lot of people were saying online, ‘He’s a tough fight for Paddy.’ I thought, ‘Easy fight for Paddy.’ And it was pretty easy.”
Aspinall’s critical comments caught the attention of Chandler, who replied on Threads, taking a shot at Aspinall being unable to secure a highly anticipated Jon Jones fight.
“Didn’t that big goober say this, like, three years ago?” Chandler wrote. “And then he waited as long for Jon as I did for Conor [McGregor] after he criticized me waiting for Conor? Cool.”
Up next for Aspinall, he defends as undisputed heavyweight champion for the first time when he faces Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 on Oct. 25, in Abu Dhabi.
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