UNCASVILLE, Conn. Few, if any, fighters have Michael Chandler’s praise at Bellator, but his promotional journey may be coming to an end.
After his Bellator 243 knockout of Benson Henderson, Chandler (21-5 MMA, 18-5 BMMA) was excited in the cage. Entering free agency for the first time, Chandler reflected on his tenure with the promotion.
Chandler, 36, brought the excitement to his post-fight press conference. Chandler, a three-time former Bellator lightweight champion who has been with the company since 2010, reflected on his time with the promotion and expressed his love for his family.
“My heart is so full,” Chandler said. “I am so in love with my wife and my son. I haven’t seen them in 12 weeks, barely. Obviously, from a commercial point of view, we are going to make the best possible decision. I think there is no question that Bellator is the organization they are because of the blood, sweat and tear (and) ‘Fights of the Year’ performances that I have featured here. It is also certain that I would not be where I am and who I am without the amazing people in this organization and how well they have taken care of me: the promotion, the bright lights.
“Man, my ribs hurt, my feet hurt, my leg hurts, (but) I’m excited to get home and see my family. I’m going to take a little trip. Bellator, my phone is on. We have an exclusive negotiation period like any contract ”.
Finishing off Henderson, a former UFC champion, is just a compliment that three other fights can claim. Only Rafael dos Anjos had finished Henderson with strikes before Chandler’s performance on Friday night. Chandler acknowledges the feat he accomplished, which ultimately served as an indicator that he is at the top of his game.
“The guy doesn’t finish and I finished him with a change step, switched to left-handed and knocked him out with my left hand,” Chandler said. “I just turned 34 years old. I feel like the best striker I’ve ever been. I was settling into that fight. “
When asked if he not only proved something to promotions and fans, but to himself, Chandler was deeply immersed in a reflection on his career. He admitted feeling tremendous pressure to act heading into the last fight of his contract, even if he didn’t admit it out loud beforehand. Chandler said he has always bet on himself, and it has almost always paid off.
“I wouldn’t be the man I am today without taking a chance,” the former University of Missouri fighter said. “When all the people in Jefferson County, Missouri, said, ‘Why the hell are you going to make the Division 1 wrestling team? You’re going to be a punching bag for five years. You are going to be a training dummy. You will never make it. You’re going to ride on the bench. You’re never going to wear that black and gold shirt. “
“Within a year, I was wearing a black and gold T-shirt. Three years after that, I was captain of the All-American team for two or three years. All the little kids out there, take a chance. Believe in yourself. Believe that you were designed, created and created to be more professionally successful than you could ever imagine in your wildest dreams. That’s what we did here tonight. That doesn’t mean anything like a hit at Bellator. I love this organization. I love what they have done for me. I love every heartbeat. “
Bellator 243 took place on Friday at Mohegan Sun. The main card was simulcast on Paramount Network and DAZN after the MMA Junkie preliminaries.
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