Michael Chandler is a human highlight reel. If you follow the UFC, you know him as the guy who explodes out of the gate, lands backflips off the cage, and basically refuses to be in a boring fight. But for a few years now, the conversation around him has shifted from his left hook to his living room. Specifically, people keep asking: why did Michael Chandler adopt?
It's a topic that has sparked everything from genuine heartwarming praise to some pretty intense, sometimes ugly, internet debates.
Honestly, the story isn't some PR stunt or a sudden whim. It’s actually a long-burn narrative that started way before he was headlining at Madison Square Garden.
The San Diego Dog Park Moment
The whole thing kicked off in a way that sounds like a scene from a mid-2000s rom-com. Michael and his now-wife, Brie Chandler, were hanging out at a dog park in San Diego. They weren't even married yet. They were just lying on the grass, looking at the sky, when Brie dropped the bombshell.
She told him she’d always felt a calling to adopt.
Chandler has been pretty open about his reaction: he was caught off guard. He hadn't really thought about fatherhood through adoption. But his response was basically, "I'll do anything to marry you, so I'm on board."
It wasn't just a casual "sure, honey" though. For Brie, this was a lifelong conviction. She had spent time doing inner-city mission work in Columbia, Missouri, and even traveled to Jamaica for similar work when she was a teenager. Adoption wasn't a "Plan B" because they couldn't have biological kids; it was always the "Plan A" for her.
Meeting Hap and Ace
The Chandlers have two sons now: Hap Whitaker and Ace.
Hap came first in 2017. The story goes that they were actually looking for an older child—maybe someone around six months to a year old. Then they got a call about a newborn. Michael has described the moment he saw Hap's photo as an instant "that's our son" realization.
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Then came Ace in 2022.
The process for Ace was a bit different. Michael has shared that they actually prayed together as a family for a "baby brother with skin like Hap." That specific detail—the fact that they specifically wanted their second child to share the same racial background as their first—is something that has since fueled a lot of the online chatter.
Why specifically adopt Black children?
This is where the internet gets "kinda" messy. People have all sorts of theories. Some fans have even tried to link his adoption of two Black sons to his losses against Will Brooks back in his Bellator days (which is, frankly, a wild reach even by MMA Twitter standards).
The reality is more grounded in Brie’s background. Because she had spent so much of her youth working with inner-city youth, she felt a specific pull toward children from those communities. When they decided to grow their family, they didn't just want "a kid"; they wanted to provide a home where their children would feel a sense of belonging with each other.
The "Colorblind" Controversy
You can't talk about why Michael Chandler adopted without hitting the elephant in the room: the "I don't see color" comments.
In an interview on The Shawn Ryan Show in early 2024, Michael made a statement that went nuclear on social media. He said:
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"I'm not raising black children, I'm raising children. Whether you are black or you are white... there are certain things about being a man and being a good man when it comes to character and integrity."
He was trying to say that character is the most important thing. He was trying to be a "good guy." But the backlash was swift. Critics pointed out that while Michael might not see color, the rest of the world—and the law, and the police, and future employers—definitely will.
A Shift in Perspective?
To his credit, Chandler didn't just double down and hide. He went on The Pivot podcast later and talked to Ryan Clark. He admitted that maybe he phrased it poorly. He acknowledged that his sons are still very young (Hap is 7 and Ace is 2 as of late 2024/early 2025).
He realized that the "colorblind" approach might work when you're playing with LEGOs in the living room, but it won't work when his sons are 16. He’s starting to understand that he has to prepare them for a world that does see their skin color, even if he wants their character to be the headline.
What Most People Get Wrong
People love to project their own politics onto celebrities.
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Some see Michael as a "white savior" figure. Others see him as a hero standing up for traditional family values. The truth is usually somewhere in the boring middle.
- Misconception 1: They adopted because they couldn't have biological kids. There's no evidence for this. They chose adoption as their primary path.
- Misconception 2: It’s a PR move. Adoption is a 24/7, 365-day commitment. You don't do it for a few extra Instagram followers. Chandler’s "dad mode" is a huge part of his actual daily life in Nashville.
- Misconception 3: He’s "ignorant" about race. He might have been idealistic, sure. But he’s shown a willingness to listen to mentors and friends who are helping him navigate the complexities of transracial adoption.
The Reality of the Chandler Household
Life in Nashville for the Chandlers isn't all Octagon dust and press conferences. If you check out Michael’s vlogs or his "Cribs" style features, it’s mostly pee-wee football, pumpkin patches, and chores.
He’s a guy who talks a lot about "becoming the best version of yourself." For him, adoption was a way to "give these kids a better deck of cards," as he put it. He sees it as his God-given mission. Whether you agree with his phrasing or his philosophy, it’s hard to argue with the fact that he’s 100% all-in on being a father.
Actionable Insights for Those Considering Adoption
If you're looking at Michael Chandler’s story and thinking about adoption yourself, here are a few "real-talk" steps based on the complexities he’s faced:
- Check your "Why": Like Brie, having a deep-rooted desire that predates a relationship or a "need" for a child makes the tough days of the adoption process easier to handle.
- Research Transracial Adoption: If you are adopting outside your race, "colorblindness" is widely considered outdated by experts. Read books like The Connected Child or listen to podcasts by adult transracial adoptees to understand the identity challenges your kids will face.
- Prepare for the Long Haul: The "honeymoon phase" of adoption is real, but as Michael is finding out, the conversations change as the kids get older. Be ready to evolve your parenting style.
- Find Your "Pivot" Circle: Surround yourself with people who will tell you the truth, not just fans who will praise you. Having friends like Ryan Clark who can challenge your perspective is vital for any parent, especially an adoptive one.
Michael Chandler’s choice to adopt wasn't about a single moment or a single reason. It was a combination of his wife’s lifelong dream, their shared faith, and a desire to build a family that looks a little different than the one he grew up in. It’s a work in progress—much like his career in the cage.