Former Bellator MMA lightweight champion Michael Chandler only has 1 fight left on his contract with Bellator and plans to test free-agency next.
Michael Chandler is widely considered to be one of the best fighters outside of the UFC. The former 3x Bellator MMA lightweight champion holds notable victories over Patricky Freire 2x, Eddie Alvarez, Akihiro Gono, Benson Henderson and Brent Primus.
He is expected to rematch the former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson, which will potentially be his last fight under the Bellator MMA banner.
Chandler, 33, recently talked to ESPN about his future plans. He stated that he only has 1 more fight remaining on his current contract with Bellator MMA. Following that he plans to test free-agency and is eyeing matchups in other major MMA organisations, particularly UFC and ONE Championship:
“We have had some talks, but it looks like I’m going to be a free agent after this fight. I would love nothing more than to finish my career and retire as a Bellator fighter, and I’ve told that to (Bellator president) Scott Coker, but the simple fact is they have a business to run with checks and balances, and I know my wife and son deserve to be taken care of, and I have a calling in life that might require me to go elsewhere,” Chandler said.
“I think I’m a guy who could go to (One Championship) and finish my trilogy with Eddie Alvarez or imagine me fighting guys like (UFC lightweights) Justin Gaethje or Dustin Poirier and putting on Fights of the Year. And I do think I’m the best guy to solve the puzzle of (UFC lightweight champion) Khabib Nurmagomedov.”
A lot of MMA fans have had Chandler on their radar for years, fantasizing about potential matchups between one of the finest fighters in Bellator MMA and the top talent in the UFC. Now, it seems that the fans might finally get what they have been wishing for.
This article first appeared on CLOSEDGUARDMEDIA.com on 18th March, 2020.
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