Michael Chandler News

Tom Taylor - September 16, 2020

Former Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler is reportedly being considered as a potential opponent for former UFC interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson. After knocking out Benson Henderson at Bellator 243, Chandler entered in a period of free agency. Buzz about his potential move to the UFC was immediate.

Harry Kettle - September 14, 2020

UFC president Dana White has confirmed that he has held talks with popular free agent Michael Chandler. Fans and media members alike have been speculating over the future of Chandler after it was confirmed he’d be moving into free agency following his last Bellator fight.

Andrew Whitelaw - September 9, 2020

Michael Chandler is arguably the most high-profile free agent in the sport right now and his teammate Gilbert Burns just dropped a massive hint that the long-time Bellator star is about to seal his move to the UFC. What’s going on here @MikeChandlerMMA and @usantidoping ????? @danawhite @seanshelby @ufc pic.twitter.com/0R13Nv7cvT

Adam Martin - September 2, 2020

Former Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler says he is interested in moving up to welterweight to fight Leon Edwards in the UFC. Chandler, a three-time lightweight champion in Bellator, recently became a free agent and is currently fielding offers from other promotions. Although a return to Bellator is always possible, he has been connected to the UFC, ONE Championship and the PFL in free agency, and he is expected to make his decision on his new home in the upcoming weeks.

Natasha Hooper - August 21, 2020

Michael Chandler what he views as his perfect matchup. The lightweight champion has teased the possibility of a move over to the UFC after completing his current contract with the Bellator. He criticized the organization’s CEO Scott Coker for not placing an extension on his contract, and wants to fight wherever he is valued.

Tom Taylor - August 20, 2020

Patricio Freire, who holds the Bellator featherweight and lightweight titles, expects his former foe Michael Chandler to sign with ONE Championship. Chandler, the former Bellator lightweight champ, recently concluded his current Bellator contract with a knockout win over former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson.

Adam Martin - August 19, 2020

Former Bellator lightweight champion and current free agent Michael Chandler has hinted at a potential UFC fight against Dustin Poirier. Chandler recently finished his Bellator contract with a stunning KO win over former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson in the last fight of his deal. He has made it clear that he intends on testing the free-agent market and both the UFC and ONE Championship have been suggested as potential landing spots if he leaves Bellator. Indeed, UFC president Dana White recently confirmed that he intends on sitting down and talking to Chandler soon.

Tom Taylor - August 16, 2020

UFC President Dana White would love to talk to former Bellator lightweight champion and new free agent “Iron” Michael Chandler. White was asked about Chandler, who recently reached the end of his latest Bellator contract, at the UFC 252 post-fight press conference.

Chris Taylor - August 7, 2020

Former Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler squared off with Benson Henderson for a second time in tonight’s Bellator 243 event. In the pairs first encounter back at Bellator 165 in November of 2016, it was Chandler who emerged victorious by way of split-decision.

Chris Taylor - August 7, 2020

Former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson squared off with Michael Chandler for a second time in tonight’s Bellator 243 main event. The pair of lightweight standouts first met at Bellator 165 in November of 2016 with Chandler emerging victorious by way of split decision.

Adam D Martin - August 7, 2020

Former Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler is excited for the possible matchups in the UFC should he sign with the promotion as a free agent. Chandler, one of the greatest home-grown fighters in Bellator history, takes on Benson Henderson on Friday night in the main event of Bellator 243. It’s the last matchup on Chandler’s deal with Bellator, and he has admitted that he will be testing free agency after the bout. Depending on the outcome of the fight, Chandler could potentially be facing interest from the UFC, ONE Championship, and PFL in his foray into free agency.

Cole Shelton - August 5, 2020

In the main event of Bellator 243, Michael Chandler and Benson Henderson are having a rematch nearly four years in the making. The first fight took place in 2016 where Chandler won a split decision. Heading into the rematch, Chandler is a -235 favorite while the former UFC champion is a +185 underdog. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The pros believe the three-time Bellator lightweight champion in Chandler will get his hand raised again.

Mike Pendleton - April 23, 2020

Eddie Alvarez and Michael Chandler had two classic fights during their time with Bellator MMA and while there has always been chatter of a trilogy, those hopes were ended when Alvarez went to the UFC and then later moved on to ONE Championship. As he was approaching free agency after his UFC run, Alvarez considered running it back with Chandler and recently revealed that both he and Chandler pitched the fight to other promotions.

Adam Martin - April 21, 2020

Bellator 244, which was set to be headlined by a lightweight rematch featuring Michael Chandler and Benson Henderson, has officially been postponed. Bellator 244 was set to take place at WinTrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois on June 6. The card was to be headlined by Chandler vs. Henderson 2, with a co-main event featuring the Bellator featherweight Grand Prix semifinal bout between AJ McKee and Darrion Caldwell. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, Bellator has decided to postpone the event until further notice.

Adam Martin - March 17, 2020

Former Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler will test free agency after his next fight and is targeting opponents in the UFC and ONE Championship. Chandler is one of the best home-grown Bellator fighters of all time and is a three-time lightweight champion in the promotion. He has one more fight left on his contract with the promotion against Benson Henderson and will become a free agent afterward.

Cole Shelton - February 25, 2020

Brent Primus is not a fan of Michael Chandler and hopes their trilogy fight can happen. Primus and Chandler originally met at Bellator NYC in June of 2017 where Primus beat the champ by TKO via leg injury in the first round. The two then had a rematch a year and a half later at Bellator 212 where this time it was Chandler who got his hand raised by decision win the belt back.

Harry Kettle - December 5, 2019

Bellator lightweight contender Benson Henderson has issued a statement after he was pulled from the upcoming card Bellator Japan card due to injury.  Henderson was set to go head to head with Michael Chandler for a second time at Bellator Japan in a rematch from their Bellator 165 encounter in November 2016. Chandler won that fight via split decision, retaining his Bellator Lightweight Championship in the process.

Natasha Hooper - December 5, 2019

The anticipated rematch between Michael Chandler and Benson Henderson will have to be put on hold as Henderson is out of their scheduled Bellator Japan bout. Henderson has suffered an injury, forcing him to withdraw from the Bellator Japan card.