Michael Chandler pulled off the near-impossible in his final fight before signing to the UFC.
Years before he was a UFC Lightweight contender, the American fought under the Bellator MMA banner where he reigned as a three-time lightweight champion. Chandler’s third title reign was cut short by the legendary Patricio Pitbull in 2019, who now joins his rival on the UFC 314 main card later this month.
Michael Chandler bounced back from a first-round TKO loss to Pitbull with a pair of stoppage wins over Sidney Outlaw and former UFC Lightweight Champion Benson Henderson.
Henderson had given Chandler one of his toughest fights in 2016, taking the champion to a split decision after five rounds of action.
The rematch in Aug. 2020 couldn’t have gone more differently.
Michael Chandler destroyed Benson Henderson in two minutes
In the opening round at Bellator 243, the expert striker Henderson tagged Chandler with punches and kicks to the body. Chandler stayed composed and closed the distance in two minutes time.
Chandler unloaded a body kick and fired a fast left hand that sat down Henderson.
Chandler connected with a follow-up punch to the top of the head that puts Henderson face down to the canvas, drops of blood pouring out of him.
The former Bellator champion landed two more ground and pound shots before the referee stopped the contest.
Chandler had become the second man in history to KO Benson Henderson, Rafael Dos Anjos the only other fighter to do so six years prior.
Michael Chandler secured UFC future with KO of former champion
When the fight was over, Michael Chandler was more than a #1 contender in Bellator – he was a free agent.
Chandler had fought in Bellator MMA for a decade and at the age of 34, ‘Iron’ signed with the UFC where he’d finally compete against the best of the best.
A credentialed championship resume and KO of Henderson preceding him, Chandler was given back-up duty for the undisputed lightweight title fight between the undefeated Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje at UFC 254, ready to step up in case a fighter withdrew.
Chandler’s services weren’t needed, but the former Bellator star has continued to test himself against elite competition or in his own words, ‘the shark-infested waters of the UFC lightweight division’.
From KO wins over Tony Ferguson and Dan Hooker, to wars with Justin Gaethje, Dustin Poirier and Charles Oliveira, Chandler’s next opponent will be the #12-ranked Paddy Pimblett in the UFC 314 co-headliner.
