Michael Chandler does 23-10-0 in MMA and currently ranked #12 in the UFC lightweight divisionbut he is also set to face Chad Mendes in a Real American Freestyle match on November 29, and is scheduled to face Connor McGregor at the White House in June 2026. This Tennessee titan may be 39, but his durability is unquestionable. “I think the reason I’ve had such a long career, and praise God, with very minimal injuries, is the fact that my body is strong in those end ranges and in those flexible areas,” Chandler said. M&F. “I can lift heavy weights, and I also use strength and speed to increase power. I’m almost 40 years old, but I can still jump as high as I could when I was 25. I’m just as strong, just as fast, just as explosive, because I think I concentrate so much on the strength and conditioning side of things.”
Indeed, not all MMA fighters enjoy hitting those reps in the gym as much as Michael Chandler does. So where does his ethos come from? “That was my coach, Todd Durkin,” the exciting fighter explains. For the uninitiated, Durkin is credited by many with the longevity of New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees.
Michael Chandler’s training method ‘Strength + speed = power’
“We want to be able to jump, but the durability factor is actually the most important thing,” explains the UFC star. “Especially in this sport, if you think about American football. So we’ve always paired some strength training with speed training and kind of exceeded it to increase strength and longevity.”
Chandler shares sample combinations so you can try this formula for yourself. “A few of my favorites are trap bar deadlift or just traditional squats or lunges, combined with broad jumps – as far as you can or as high as you can, or box jumps as high as you can,” the fighter offers. “So you load the muscles a little bit, fatigue them and then go right into something fast and something explosive to increase that strength. The same would be if you were doing some sort of traditional bench press or a barbell bench press – load it up heavy and then lie on your back and then explode a medicine ball as quickly as possible. So you do something very light, fast and explosive right after you load the heavier weights on those specific muscle groups.”
Michael Chandler and Phorm Energy are supporting our troops
When he’s not in the gym, Chandler often finds ways to pay it forward through his partnership with Phorm Energy. The national launch of the brand ‘Honor. To raise. Unite,’ sees a limited-time cherry slush flavor hit 7-Eleven stores, with every can sold resulting in a donation to Folds of honor– a nonprofit organization that provides families of fallen or disabled U.S. military personnel and first responders with academic scholarships. Chandler, who recently participated in Nashville’s famed Folds of Honor softball game, has a deep connection to the cause. “I have donated my time, energy, effort and resources to Folds of Honor for many, many years,” the athlete proudly explains. “It’s just about showing up, leading with love, doing the right thing, doing the hard work, protecting the helpless and taking care of people.” And since Phorm Energy contains no sugar, just natural flavors and caffeine derived from green tea extract, it’s also a drink that has a place of honor in Chandler’s own gym bag.
Michael Chandler is always reinventing himself
As one of the most exciting MMA athletes in the history of the sport, Chandler still has his sights firmly set on the future. Firstly, he will take on Chad Mendes in a middleweight bout for Real American Freestyle on November 29. Then there’s the prospect of that history bringing a UFC fight to the White House in June. “I’ll continue to train like I always do,” Chandler said. “Stay focused on training, stay busy, keep serving my family, continue to build this life and the legacy that I have. And if the fight comes to fruition, that’s great. It looks like it’s happening, or it looks like it’s going that way, so we continue to hope and pray that that’s exactly what happens.”
Before that, Chandler tells M&F that he is now heading to London to film for a movie and is also keeping up with all the action in WWE. “I would love Roman Reigns,” he says of a future blockbuster pro wrestling match. “I just think it would be a lot of fun.” Whether it’s on the mat, in the cage or in the ring, never change, Michael Chandler!
For more information about Folds of Honor, click here.
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