An Indomitable Spirit

Michael Chandler Ascends from Humble Roots to MMA Eminence.

Hailing from High Ridge, Missouri, a quaint town nestled near the Illinois border, Chandler describes his hometown as “more than a one-horse town, yet not quite a thriving metropolis. I’m a small guy, from a small town, who was taught to do small things,” Chandler reminisces, recounting the manner in which his modest upbringing endeavored to dissuade grand aspirations and lofty dreams. Fortuitously for the MMA world and its ardent devotees, Chandler and his parents harbored grander ambitions. Defying small town constraints would define the way forward for Chandler.

Chandler’s ascension to the pinnacle of MMA can be traced back to his collegiate wrestling days. Despite being a formidable high school wrestler, Chandler did not receive scholarship offers from any Division 1 college wrestling programs. While he garnered offers from Division 2 and NAIA institutions, Chandler opted to forgo those opportunities,...