Michael Chandler crashes WWE NXT, gets launched through the ropes

Video: UFC’s Michael Chandler tried to interfere in WWE NXT match, got launched through the ropes instead.

UFC lightweight Michael Chandler made a surprise appearance at WWE NXT on November 4, 2026.

He was brought in as the special enforcer for a match between Dion Lennox and Cruz Montana.

Chandler took issue when he spotted handcuffs being used in one corner of the ring.

He moved to intervene.

Instead, he got shoved two-handed through the ropes and landed hard on the floor.

The crowd reacted loudly as the former UFC title challenger was sent out of the ring.

WWE and UFC are both owned by TKO Group Holdings, the parent company formed when the two promotions merged.

Chandler has appeared on WWE programming multiple times in recent years.

His latest appearance came under the NXT banner, the promotion’s developmental brand.

The 40-year-old fighter holds a 23-11 record in mixed martial arts.

But his recent run inside the Octagon has been difficult.

Chandler has lost four straight fights and six of his last eight since his UFC debut in early 2021.

Four of those six losses came by way of finish.

Despite the skid, he has collected five post-fight performance bonuses during that stretch.

Three of those were Fight of the Night honors.

Chandler has vowed to keep fighting despite the recent slide.

Whether he transitions to professional wrestling full time remains unclear.

The incident at NXT was the latest chapter in a growing crossover between the two combat sports brands.

TKO Group Holdings has encouraged talent exchanges since the merger was completed.

Several UFC fighters have appeared on WWE programming, and WWE stars have attended UFC events.

Chandler has been one of the most visible UFC athletes to make the jump for guest appearances.

His style and promo ability have drawn comparisons to pro wrestlers for years.

Fans have speculated for months that Chandler might eventually sign a full-time wrestling contract.

Tuesday night’s appearance did nothing to quiet those rumors.

But the way it ended — with Chandler being launched through the ropes — added an unexpected twist.

It was not a planned spot that went wrong.

Chandler legitimately tried to stop the use of handcuffs and got physically removed for his trouble.

The moment was caught on camera and quickly circulated online.

Yahoo Sports reported the incident with the headline: “Video: UFC’s Michael Chandler tried to interfere in WWE NXT match, got launched through the ropes instead.”

Boxingnews.com also covered the story, noting that Chandler “got launched through the ropes at WWE NXT on Tuesday night after attempting to interfere.”

The report cited MMA Mania as the original source of the video.

Chandler’s appearance came on the same episode of NXT that featured the 2026 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic final.

Noam Dar and Romeo Moreno won that tournament, defeating Hank Walker and Tank Ledger.

Cody Rhodes made a special appearance during that segment to present the trophy.

He also announced that Dar and Moreno would challenge for the NXT Tag Team Championship next week.

But the Chandler incident overshadowed much of the night’s planned action.

Social media lit up with clips of the UFC star being thrown out of the ring.

Some fans found it hilarious.