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Former Bellator star Michael Chandler is now a free agent and it sounds like the UFC is very interested in picking up the lightweight standout.
UFC 252 “Miocic vs. Cormier 3” took place August 15, 2020 inside the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada. After Stipe Miocic successfully concluded the trilogy and Daniel Cormier announced his retirement, the usual post-fight media session with Dana White took place. Having finished his Bellator MMA contract with a first round knockout of Ben Henderson, it’s probably not surprising that Michael Chandler’s name came up.
“They said, I didn’t know this, but they told me that he said he wanted to meet,” White said at the UFC 252 post-event press conference. “And I said I’d love to meet with him. That guy has earned it and yeah, would love to talk to him.”
With a record of 21-5 including 16 finishes (nine knockouts and seven submissions) plus being the only three time Lightweight champion in Bellator MMA history, there’s no doubt he’s “earned it,” but after Bellator 243 on August 7, Chandler left the door open for both Scott Coker and Dana White to bid on his services.
“It’s all in God’s hands,” Chandler said. “God has opened and closed doors at the right time. If this is the last time I step in the Bellator cage, to everybody here, you have no idea the impact you’ve made on my life. We’ll see what happens. Every single Lightweight on the clock, you’re on notice. Scott Coker, you’re on the clock. Let’s get it done.”
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