Lightweight scrappers Poirier and Chandler dealt up the barn-burner fans were expecting at Madison Square Garden in a hard-hitting war of attrition at UFC 281
Dustin Poirier and Michael Chandler delivered on their promises of a brutal battle at UFC 281 last night in New York, with Poirier picking up a third-round submission victory.
Chandler appeared to have the upper hand in the opening exchanges, having his chin tested a few times by Poirier on the feet before landing a combination that set him up for a big takedown that saw him land further damage to the Louisiana native, who ultimately was able to get back up and get his own back.
After being rocked himself, Poirier landed a big right hand that put Chandler down and went to work on trying to finish the fight within the first stanza. Somehow, the ex-Bellator champion managed to get to the bell despite a flurry of punches from his rival, with fans on their feet for the duo.
Chandler appeared to recover his bearings in the second and was, in fact, the aggressor in the first exchanges before landing yet another takedown. While on the ground, Poirier made it difficult for his rival to get much off and even went for a submission off his back, but ultimately the wrestler was able to regain control.