Michael Chandler News

Tom Taylor - September 21, 2020

Michael Chandler has signed with the UFC and has already been tapped as the back-up fighter for the UFC 254 main event. UFC 254 goes down on October 24 on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, and will be headlined by a lightweight title fight between undefeated champ Khabib Nurmagomedov and interim champion Justin Gaethje. Chandler, the former Bellator lightweight champion, will be on-call in Abu Dhabi, and ready to step in should either man fail to make it to the cage on fight night.

Adam D Martin - September 18, 2020

UFC president Dana White says he is “very excited” about adding former Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler to the UFC roster. On Thursday, White announced that the UFC has signed Chandler to a free-agent contract. His first task with the UFC will be to be the backup fighter for the UFC 254 main event between lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and interim champ Justin Gaethje. It was a massive free-agent signing for the UFC as Chandler is widely considered by fans and media to be a top-10 lightweight in all of MMA.

Adam D Martin - September 18, 2020

New UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler has released his first statement since leaving Bellator and signing with the UFC. Chandler is a former three-time Bellator lightweight champion and for years he has been one of the top 155lbers outside of the UFC. On Thursday, UFC president Dana White confirmed the world’s leading MMA promotion has signed Chandler and he has been officially named as the backup for the upcoming UFC 254 lightweight title fight between champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and interim champ Justin Gaethje.

Cole Shelton - September 17, 2020

Michael Chandler is planning to prove to the world he is the best lightweight after signing with the UFC. Chandler is a three-time Bellator lightweight champion, and after knocking out Benson Henderson in his most recent effort, became a free agent. He was arguably the biggest MMA free agent in quite some time. On Thursday it was announced he has signed with the UFC. He will also serve as the backup fighter for UFC 254.

Tom Taylor - September 17, 2020

Former Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler has officially signed with the UFC, and has already been tapped as an understudy for the UFC 254 main event. UFC 254 will be headlined by a lightweight title fight between undefeated champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and interim champion Justin Gaethje. Should either man fail to make it into the cage, Chandler will be called upon to replace them.

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

Tom Taylor - August 27, 2020

After knocking out Benson Henderson at Bellator 243 earlier this month, Michael Chandler, the promotion’s former lightweight champ, is now a free agent. As one of the biggest stars Bellator has produced to date, Chandler can almost certainly expect lucrative offers from some of the sport’s biggest organizations. He’s already expressed interest in a potential move to the UFC, and UFC President Dana White has reciprocated that interest. Chandler has also discussed a potential move to ONE Championship, where a compelling trilogy fight with his chief rival Eddie Alvarez could await.

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.

Chris Taylor - August 8, 2020

Former Bellator champion Michael Chandler has a ton of respect for Conor McGregor but believes he would make him “see Jesus” in a potential fight. Chandler made the final appearance of his current contract in last night’s Bellator 243 headliner for a rematch with Benson Henderson. The pair had previously squared off in November of 2016, with Chandler emerging victorious by way of judges split-decision.

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.

Harry Kettle - July 15, 2020

According to a recent report from Combate, Michael Chandler and Benson Henderson’s proposed rematch is set to go down on August 7. The two veterans last fought back at Bellator 165 in November 2016, and on that night, Chandler beat Henderson via split decision to retain the Bellator Lightweight Championship. They were first scheduled to run it back in December 2019 for Bellator’s co-promotion event with Rizin in Japan, but an injury for Henderson ensured that didn’t happen.

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.