The best base for entering MMA has recently become a hot topic among fans. And a playful back-and-forth kicked off on social media when UFC star Michael Chandler responded to a viral post about Taekwondo being the ideal foundation for MMA.
Michael Chandler Weighs In on Taekwondo as the Ideal MMA Foundation
A fan shared his take on Threads, writing, “Unpopular opinion: Taekwondo is the best base for MMA.”
That opinion sparked debate and quickly caught the attention of Chandler, who chimed in with a bit of humor. He replied, “Very, very, very unpopular opinion.”
The conversation didn’t stop there. Another fan jumped in, listing what he saw as the top three MMA bases: “Best base—in order: Wrestling, Boxing, Invisibility cloak. Can’t lose if they can’t see you.”
Chandler kept the tone light and sarcastic, responding, “The invisibility cloak works every single time.”
While the conversation was mostly for laughs, it highlights how passionate MMA fans are when it comes to debating fight styles — and how active stars like Chandler are in keeping those discussions going.
Many fighters and analysts consider wrestling to be the best foundation for dominating in MMA. A prime example is former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, along with two-division champ Daniel Cormier and a few others.
Chandler, also known as “Iron,” comes from a strong wrestling background. But in his most recent fight, he suffered a brutal knockout loss to Paddy Pimblett last April in Miami — marking his third straight defeat inside the Octagon.
Chandler Reflects on Loss to Paddy Pimblett at UFC 314
Speaking with reporter Mike Bohn, Chandler reflected on his UFC 314 loss to Pimblett. He credited “The Baddy” for controlling the range and making it tough to land shots.
“I feel like I couldn’t get my rhythm,” Chandler told MMA Junkie. “I couldn’t get my range. Obviously, Paddy’s long. Paddy fights long, he fights with his chin way up in the air, and he’s pretty far away from you. Throws a lot of kicks to keep the distance.”
The former Bellator champion said he was just starting to settle in when he took a knee to the face. After that, Pimblett took Chandler down and closed the fight.
Chandler also gave credit to Pimblett’s strategy.
“I felt like I was just kind of getting settled in and obviously, took the knee to the face, and then got taken down, and that was the end of it. It’s one of those deals where you learn. Hat’s off to Paddy, he had a great game plan, went out there and got the win.”
Looking ahead, Chandler has hinted that his feud with Conor McGregor isn’t over. He teased fans with talk of a potential matchup early next year.