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Michael Chandler comments on Eddie Alvarez's fighting future after broken jaw in BKFC

UFC star Michael Chandler says former foe Eddie Alvarez's 'taken a lot of big shots' in his career.

Christopher De Santiago

BKFC, @mikechandlermma - Instagram

Michael Chandler has weighed-in on Eddie Alvarez's 'tough' loss to Jeremy Stephens.

Both stars of the UFC and Bellator MMA, Michael Chandler and Eddie Alvarez have spent 43 minutes in the cage fighting each other, leaving their series all tied up at one win a piece.

Alvarez won their last meeting by split decision in 2013, and right after Alvarez jumped ship to the UFC, where he eventually became the UFC lightweight champion in 2016. Chandler, the #7-ranked lightweight contender, didn't join the UFC until 2020, years after Alvarez had entered free agency.

Former UFC Champion Eddie Alvarez.
Former UFC Champion Eddie Alvarez. / Raj Mehta-Imagn Images

In January, Alvarez would take on recently re-signed UFC fighter Jeremy Stephens under the BKFC banner in his hometown of Philadelphia. Alvarez had his moments in the bareknuckle fight, but the momentum quickly shifted for Stephens, who knocked Alvarez down twice in one round.

The fight was stopped in between rounds after the third. Post-fight X-rays would show that Stephens broke Alvarez's jaw, putting the 41-year-old's career into question after KnuckleMania V.

READ MORE: Conor McGregor calls out fighter face-to-face in ring after Bare Knuckle Fight

Michael Chandler Is Asked If Eddie Alvarez Should Retire

On the road to recovery, it's too early to tell if Eddie Alvarez will fight again, with some fans calling for the former champion's retirement.

As for Michael Chandler:

"I will never tell a man when to retire," Chandler told Covers.com on behalf of MMA Knockout. "It's so much more than just the performances, right?"

"I mean, Eddie's an absolute legend. I was very fortunate to spend what, 24, no, 25... you know, 30, 40 minutes with him inside of the cage, whatever it was. Been a fan of his work. Who he is, how he's a family man."

BKFC KnuckleMania V: Eddie Alvarez vs. Jeremy Stephens
Eddie Alvarez (R) trading punches with Jeremy Stephens (L) at BKFC KnuckleMania V / BKFC

Michael Chandler: "We're All Getting Closer To That Age..."

A whole lot of mutual respect between Chandler and Alvarez, the UFC star admits a broken jaw at 41 is one tough pill to swallow for his former foe, especially after so many wars already.

"A broken jaw is definitely tough," Chandler said. "A broken jaw at the hands of Jeremy Stephens is definitely tough."

"I don't know... I definitely know Eddie's taken a lot of big shots. Eddie has been hurt in a lot of fights.
I have hurt him numerous times in our fights, and I'll never tell a man when to hang it up."

READ MORE: Ilia Topuria teases major change ahead of “new era” in UFC lightweight division

Chandler continued.

"But we're all getting closer to that age, so it might be time sometime in the next couple years."

Will Eddie Alvarez make this walk again?

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Christopher De Santiago
CHRISTOPHER DE SANTIAGO

Christopher De Santiago is a 23-year-old journalist from Gainesville, Texas with years of experience covering MMA. He is the founder of MMA Island and started working for MMA Knockout in February, 2024. Inquiries: chrisdesantiago17@gmail.com

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