At 34 years of age, Michael Chandler signed a contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. The deal was struck on the 17th of September 2020 and his first role was as a backup for a title bout between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje at UFC 254. Chandler was not required at the event and is still waiting to make his debut in the UFC at the time of writing.
Having been voted the Most Valuable Wrestler during his senior season at the Missouri State High School Wrestling Championships, Chandler was selected for the All-St.