Bellator 165: “Chandler vs. Henderson” comes to SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Nov. 19, 2016. The reigning and defending lightweight champion, “Iron” Michael Chandler, faces former WEC and UFC champ “Smooth” Benson Henderson in the main event.
As the date draws closer and the tension grows higher, it’s time for the show’s top four fighters to face off verbally before they square off inside the cage. Bellator MMA set a conference call for Nov. 15, 2016 to make that happen.
Undefeated welterweight sensation Michael “Venom” Page (11-0) will face winner of five straight MMA fights “The Menifee Maniac” Fernando Gonzalez (25-13) in the co-main event, and both fighters joined today’s call.
And of course champion Chandler (15-3) was on the line to talk about a fight he’s been waiting for his whole career with Henderson (24-6) as he seeks the chance to establish his legacy as a top lightweight in the world.
Henderson was the first to answer a question from the media about whether or not he had anything to prove after earning his title shot in a somewhat unsatisfying fashion.
“I would say there’s not a whole lot of extra motivation to win this fight. I’m a pretty highly self-motivated individual. I want to win all of my fights. There’s always extra this, extra that, new incentive this, new incentive that. I don’t need any of those extra new incentives. I want to win all of my fights. I want to get my hand raised in every single fight as badly as you can’t even imagine.”
Does Henderson plan to change his style at given the fast pace and heavy hands that Chandler brings?
“We’ll see. It’s hard to dictate and say ‘Oh I’m going to do exactly this or I’m a do exactly that. I think it’s hard to dictate, it’s hard game plan wise. If I was a NFL coach, I would not be one of those coaches who has the first 15 plays of the game scripted out and no matter what happens we’re going to run these 15 plays. For me I think it’s much more of a feel out process.”
That being said Henderson doesn’t expect anything less than a high energy fight in Saturday’s main event.
“Okay, we’re throwing down? Sure, let’s do it, let’s go — throw down. You want to hit 100 miles per hour, you want to hit the gas pedal in the first 15 seconds? Cool, let’s do it, let’s find out. If it’s more of a measured approach, and we’re kind of feeling each other out and that’s kind of what happens, that’s cool too. No problem! I don’t think this is going to be a slow paced fight. This is going to be about as high paced of an action packed fight as you’ve seen inside the Bellator cage.”
Taking a cue from the Conor McGregor playbook, Michael Chandler was asked if he wants to retain his title Saturday and try to become champion in another weight class.
“I’m just looking for the biggest fights I can possibly have. I know there’s no way I can make 145, I walk around about 190 between fights so, I’m not interested in losing the muscle mass that I have — losing the body I’ve worked so hard for since I was 11 years old. If anything I would jump up to 170. There’s some interesting match-ups up there, there’s some decent names, big names. But more than anything I’m focused like I’ve never been focused before to fight this Saturday night and I’m excited to go out there and perform.”
What’s left for Chandler to prove fighting Henderson after already becoming the two time Bellator champion?
“For me there’s still so much more to prove. It’s not to prove it to fans, it’s not to prove it to Bellator, it’s not to prove it to anybody but myself. I was put in this sport to be great. I’ve made some mistakes in fights before, I’ve made some mistakes in training, I’ve been deficient in certain areas, but right now I can say I’m firing on all cylinders and this is literally the best that I’ve ever been. I feel like mentally, physically, spiritually, emotionally, I’m the best that I’ve ever been. I have 100% given myself permission to be the best in the entire world.”
Undefeated Michael “Venom” Page was asked if he has another pop culture post-fight victory celebration mapped out.
“Yeah 100 percent! I’m always socially aware but, I have to get the job done first, and that’s the most important thing. The rest you’ve just got to tune in for.”
At the top of Page’s priority list is winning and putting on a good show regardless of if it earns him a title shot.
“That’s just up to Bellator and my coaches. That’s not really my major concern. I just go out there and entertain, and I’ll just keep doing that until I end up in the position where I could possibly (challenge).”
Even though this fight fell through on two prior attempts Page is not sweating the name nor the details.
“It doesn’t bother me. It’s just another name, that’s all I see. Another name on a piece of paper that they selected, and I’ve just got to go in there and be me — and that’s it.”
As for being an entertainer though Fernando Gonzalez is amused by Page’s antics but not intimidated.
“Yeah I watched both of the videos. I thought it was kind of funny, especially the last one. Bad choice of props I guess! He’s basically eating balls and drinking milk and savoring the taste so… I don’t know how to take that as a call out but I think the victory alone’s going to be enough for me.”
We’ll find out which of these fighters will savor the taste of victory on Nov. 19 in San Jose.
Complete audio of the interview is below and complete Bellator MMA coverage can be found right here on fight night.