Michael Chandler discussed his controversial knockout loss to Patricio Freire at Bellator 221, and how keen he is to get a rematch.
After his controversial first round knockout loss to Patricio Freire this past weekend at Bellator 221, Michael Chandler is adamant he will eventually get a rematch with “Pitbull.”
Chandler lost in just 61 seconds to Friere in the main event of Bellator 221. A right hand behind the ear dropped Chandler and after some unanswered ground and pound from Friere, referee Rob Madrigal stepped in and stopped the fight. However as he did that, Chandler began to stand back up which left question marks over the stoppage.
Speaking to media members (including Bloody Elbow) after the fight, Chandler discussed the loss and his opinion on the stoppage.
“We were on our way to giving Bellator probably one of the greatest fights in the promotion’s history,” Chandler said. “I was about to get up, I was about rally and I was about to come back just like I do in every single one of my fights. I just didn’t get the opportunity.
“He stuck his head in the sand and ran,” Chandler said of referee Madrigal. “These kinds of things happen, but I looked at him as I was getting up you know. It’s unfortunate, but this is the fight game.”
Given the bad blood entering their first fight, Chandler is convinced that people will want to see a rematch between him and “Pitbull.” Putting the controversy about the stoppage behind him, it’s just a case of when he fights Freire next for Chandler.
“I think you’re going to see an overwhelming majority of people who want to see a rematch, I think Bellator is going to want to see a rematch. Of course I want the rematch. Whether you think it was an early stoppage or not, I’m not going to rant and rave about that. Patricio ‘Pitbull’ will step back in the cage with me, it just depends when.”