Author: Dan Hiergesell

Bellator 106: 3 Questions We Have About Michael Chandler

As the very best lightweight in the world not currently under the UFC banner, undisputed Bellator champion Michael Chandler fights to prove a point.
Throughout just a dozen professional fights, the 27-year-old has become one of the most dangerous fight…

As the very best lightweight in the world not currently under the UFC banner, undisputed Bellator champion Michael Chandler fights to prove a point.

Throughout just a dozen professional fights, the 27-year-old has become one of the most dangerous fighters in the world.  His wrestling is elite, his striking is rapidly evolving, and his chin is remarkable.

But if there is any point in Chandler’s young and illustrious career that doesn’t quite equate to perfection, it would be his four-round battle with former champion Eddie Alvarez.

There 2011 title bout was one of the best fights in Bellator history and a lightweight showdown that would rival any matchup in the world.  Chandler ultimately submitted Alvarez in the fourth to capture the title and prolong his undefeated streak, but it wasn’t pretty.

With that said, on the brink of their long-awaited rematch this coming weekend, here are three questions one of the best 155-pound athletes around still has to answer.

 

Will a quick turnaround hurt him?

Having defended his title only three months ago, Saturday night will mark Chandler’s quickest turnaround between fights in his young Bellator championship career. 

Sure, he fought in three consecutive months back in 2011 to win the lightweight tournament, but those were not scheduled for five rounds of action. 

As a matter of fact, both of Chandler’s quickest turnarounds during that span resulted in his only two decision victories of his career.  That has to mean something.

Chandler did finish Dave Rickels fairly quickly in the first round back in July, but Alvarez is a different animal.  The champion is going to have to make sure he brings his absolute best to successfully defend the title for a third time.

 

Can he finish Alvarez early?

Although Chandler ended up submitting Alvarez in the fourth round of their first meeting, he ultimately struggled to put the wily veteran away early.

In both of the first two rounds, Chandler landed devastating shots that wobbled Alvarez.  Most fighters wouldn’t have been able withstand such damage, but Alvarez did.

With that said, it’s going to be interesting to see if Chandler’s initial barrage can yet again pressure Alvarez into letting his guard down.  If it does, look for the champion to finish early.

Since their first brawl, Chandler has finished three lightweight bouts in a row before the third round.  That’s exactly the type of momentum he wants to ride coming into a rematch with a guy who has been finished in each of his three career loses.

 

Will his conditioning hold up?

If he doesn’t find a way to finish Alvarez early, this fight is going to be a lot like the first.  And if the first installment told us anything about Chandler, it’s that he can gas.

The young champion is so used to pushing the pressure following the initial bell that he gives his opponents a chance to win back a round or two if he doesn’t finish them early.

Just look at what Alvarez did to Chandler in Round 3 of their first title fight.  After dominating Alvarez for 10 straight minutes, Chandler was unable to ward off the constant cage-side striking and pace the elder statesman was displaying.

Remember, Chandler has only been to a fourth round once in his 12-fight career.  If Alvarez is able to drag him to the final frame of their rematch, the champion better be equipped to last.

For more MMA news and coverage,

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Bellator 106: 3 Questions We Have About Eddie Alvarez

Besides Gilbert Melendez and Benson Henderson, Eddie Alvarez is the best lightweight in the world without a title.
Once upon a time, Alvarez held the Bellator lightweight championship, but an eager Michael Chandler took it from him roughly two years ag…

Besides Gilbert Melendez and Benson Henderson, Eddie Alvarez is the best lightweight in the world without a title.

Once upon a time, Alvarez held the Bellator lightweight championship, but an eager Michael Chandler took it from him roughly two years ago.

Since then, Alvarez has utilized his crisp boxing, excellent footwork and elite experience to capture back-to-back first-round finishes against two very respectable opponents, Shinya Aoki and Patricky Freire.

With that said, the 29-year-old is not complete without his belt.  He’s hungry, determined and ready to reclaim what was once his.

Here are three questions the formidable veteran needs to answer to make this weekend’s rematch with Chandler a vengeful success. 

 

Will the one-year layoff play a factor?

It doesn’t matter if you’re Jose Aldo or Roy Nelson, being absent from the cage for over a year never leads to something good.  Most of the time, it spells ring rust.

Alvarez, who is used to fighting two or three times a year, will have to shake off any cobwebs early in order to compete alongside the champion this Saturday.

With that said, Alvarez possesses the type of experience other fighters strive for.  If there is any fighter on the Bellator roster who can put an absence like this behind him and perform to his usual capabilities, it’s the former champ.

Plus, he has something to prove after a lengthy contract dispute with Bellator‘s parent company, Viacom.

 

Can he withstand Chandler’s initial burst?

In their first meeting, Chandler came out like a flying banshee.  He pressured the former champ inside and out, landing vicious shots that dropped Alvarez in the first few moments of the first round.

For Alvarez to stay coherent and calm in their rematch, he needs to withstand Chandler’s initial burst. 

As a very athletic fighter with power in his hands and iron in his chin, Chandler doesn’t shy away from early exchanges and really excels when he’s moving forward and pushing the action.

Alvarez needs to utilize patient boxing and swift footwork to avoid any serious quarrels with the champion early in the fight.  If he can do that, Alvarez should be able to score points and tire the champ out.

 

Can he keep the fight standing?

In their first meeting, Chandler was able to take Alvarez down at will anytime he got his hands on him.  This time around, assuming Alvarez is able to game plan for Chandler’s heavy hands, he’s going to want to keep the fight standing.

That’s much easier said than done against a wrestler of Chandler’s caliber, but you have to remember that Alvarez is one of the division’s most athletic guys in his own right.  He has the ability to slither away against the cage or in the clinch to avoid being taken down.

Also, if Alvarez is able to keep the fight on the feet, he has to understand that Chandler is at his best when he’s moving forward.  That’s where he did most of his damage in the first fight, and that’s exactly how he’ll try to pursue Alvarez in the rematch.

If the former champ can pressure Chandler right out of the gate, mix in body punches and kicks, and challenge his conditioning, then Alvarez might have a chance at stopping an undefeated force.

For more MMA news and coverage,

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

10 Bold MMA Predictions for the Month of November

On paper, November looks like the best month of the year for mixed martial arts addicts.
With four UFC events, Georges St-Pierre vs. Johny Hendricks, The Ultimate Fighter Finale, Michael Chandler vs. Eddie Alvarez II in Bellator or a flyweight grudge m…

On paper, November looks like the best month of the year for mixed martial arts addicts.

With four UFC events, Georges St-Pierre vs. Johny Hendricks, The Ultimate Fighter Finale, Michael Chandler vs. Eddie Alvarez II in Bellator or a flyweight grudge match, the next four weeks are limitless.

But if anything has taught us about today’s MMA over the years, it’s that nothing is for certain.  Main event showdowns often come up short, title contenders push divisional kings to their brink, and some of the sport’s most heralded athletes sometimes get derailed.

In any case, November has all the ingredients to exceed expectations.  Here are 10 bold predictions for the numerous cage collisions set to commence this coming month.

Begin Slideshow

Fight of the Year Watch: October 2013 Edition

Each month, the UFC puts out dynamically explosive cards that have the potential to produce some of the best fights of the year.
Well, in classic form, the UFC manifested yet another unheralded Octagon clash this October, which many now consider the be…

Each month, the UFC puts out dynamically explosive cards that have the potential to produce some of the best fights of the year.

Well, in classic form, the UFC manifested yet another unheralded Octagon clash this October, which many now consider the best MMA contest of all time.

How does it stack up against the other barn burners of 2013? Does a three-round lightweight bloodbath take precedence over a Light Heavyweight Championship showdown?

Find out in this month’s Fight of the Year watch.

Begin Slideshow

UFC Fight Night 30: 5 Questions We Have About Lyoto Machida

Headlining UFC Fight Night 30 this Saturday is a middleweight scrap between former light heavyweight king Lyoto Machida and perennial top contender Mark Munoz.
The matchup will feature one of the best counter-striking practitioners the promotion has ev…

Headlining UFC Fight Night 30 this Saturday is a middleweight scrap between former light heavyweight king Lyoto Machida and perennial top contender Mark Munoz.

The matchup will feature one of the best counter-striking practitioners the promotion has ever seen dropping down to make his divisional debut opposite an unparalleled wrestler.

Now while it seems as if a potent threat like “The Dragon” would have an immediate edge over a guy like Munoz, nothing is for certain.

The Brazilian had to cut weight, hasn’t looked like his dominate self in almost a year and is always susceptible to defeat if he’s brought to the ground in succession.

So to prolong a fresh future in a rapidly growing weight class, Machida needs to answer these five questions this weekend in England.

Begin Slideshow

UFC Fight Night 30: 5 Reasons to Watch

Following an event like UFC 166 is like lighting off a bottle rocket right after nine pounds of M-80 explosives just deafened the block.
But as improbable and unlikely as it is to match the intensity and raw carnage displayed in Houston, Texas no more …

Following an event like UFC 166 is like lighting off a bottle rocket right after nine pounds of M-80 explosives just deafened the block.

But as improbable and unlikely as it is to match the intensity and raw carnage displayed in Houston, Texas no more than a few days ago, UFC Fight Night 30 this Saturday has all the ingredients to deliver the goods.

You’ll just have to put Diego Sanchez’s eyebrow disaster behind you, pull up a chair and enjoy the show.

Here are five reasons why this weekend will be yet another successful showing for Dana White and UFC brass.

Begin Slideshow