Photo by Jun Sato/WireImage
Michael Chandler is now the hottest free agent on the MMA market after taking out former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson via first-round KO last night (Fri., Aug. 7, 2020) at Bellator 243 (highlights HERE).
Chandler, 34, was competing in the last fight of his current Bellator MMM contract. The former Bellator lightweight champion has been a member of the organization for the past decade, but has made it known that he will entertain all offers heading into free agency.
Fight fans have long wondered how Chandler would fair against the competition in the UFC’s stacked lightweight division and may end up witnessing the transition when it’s all said and done. Chandler is arguably the best fighter in the history of Bellator MMA and it’s interesting to think about his potential as a member of the UFC roster.
During the Bellator 243 post-fight press conference (full replay HERE), Chandler took a moment to discuss a potential move to UFC and a dream matchup against MMA superstar Conor McGregor.
“The thing about Conor McGregor is I’ve always loved what he has done with the sport,” said Chandler. “I’ve never once hated on him. In the very beginning, I did say he’s not as good as he thinks he is, but he’s better than we think he is, and he continued to prove that. I still don’t think he’s as good as he thinks he is, but that’s a testament to his self-belief. If all of us had a little bit more self-belief, like Conor McGregor, life would be a little bit different and we’d look at life through a different lens.”
It’s unlikely that Chandler would be able to sign with UFC and immediately lock down a Red Panty Night opposite “Notorious,” but the former Bellator champion remains confident that he can finish the Irishman within two rounds.
“As far as that fight goes, I finish Conor in under two, in my opinion,” said Chandler. “It’d be similar to, shades of (Nate) Diaz I. Wear him down, hit him with hard shots – hard, hard shots. Take every single one of his shots. He’s got that sneaky and strong and thick and hard left hand that he throws, and it’s straight. You avoid that, wear him down a little bit, make him see Jesus. Just put him out.”
What say you, Maniacs? Will Chandler end up with UFC? If so, how would he do in a clash with Conor McGregor?
Let us know!
For complete Bellator 243 results and coverage click here.