UFC star Michael Chandler posts video of him wearing an ice mask and explaining to his young son that his face is ‘unrecognisable’ after making ‘really bad decisions’ in his brutal defeat by Justin Gaethje
- Justin Gaethje defeated Michael Chandler in a memorable UFC 268 clash
- Gaethje picked up a points victory but both fighters traded very heavy blows
- Both men were taken to hospital in New York following Saturday’s showdown
UFC star Michael Chandler has been forced to wear a ice mask to help him recover from the injuries he suffered in his brutal fight with Justin Gaethje.
The 35-year-old was left bloodied and bruised following his defeat after three hard rounds at Madison Square Garden in New York on Saturday.
Now back home in Nashville, Tennessee, Chandler posted a video on Instagram of him explaining why he was wearing the mask to his four-year-old adopted son Hap Whitaker Chandler.
UFC star Michael Chandler wearing an ice mask while talking to his adopted son Hap
‘I have to inform you that your father has made some really bad decisions in his last fight which resulted in his face being virtually unrecognisable,’ said Chandler.
‘Therefore to expedite the process of healing I would like to wear this frozen mask so you, my son, may be able to see me more clearly very soon.
‘I love you son, I will see you at the top.’
Justin Gaethje (left) and Michael Chandler were reunited in hospital after their brutal UFC fight
The two men battered one another into a bloody pulp before Chandler was defeated by scorecard decision
Both were taken to hospital following UFC 268 in New York where the two 155lb contenders were reunited.
Contest winner Gaethje posted an image on Instagram of the two rivals looking beaten and bruised in hospital, but both fighters were smiling despite the heavy blows they faced.
Gaethje (right) picked up a decision victory over his rival (left) on Saturday night in New York
‘All glory to God,’ Gaethje captioned the post. ‘I wasn’t leaving tonight without my chance to to put another strap on Trevor Wittman’s wall.’
Both men came out swinging for the fences and in the first round, the odds on them both hearing the final bell in the third would have been long.
But somehow they both survived the slugfest and it was Gaethje who came up with the cleaner work, although his opponent deserves great credit for making it such a great spectacle.
Both fighters traded heavy blows which caused several bruises and marks on their faces