Michael Chandler Remains Focused on Title Fight With Josh Thomson

michael-chandler

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-RNXzWHgoo[/embed]

Despite Josh Thomson not seeing the cage in 2016, Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler still views him as the No. 1 contender.

“I want to fight (Thomson) next,” Chandler said during a recent interview with MMAjunkie Radio. “My only stipulation is that I’m not doing it in San Jose (Thomson’s hometown). I’ll do it anywhere else in the world. All I know is, when that fight gets announced, I’m not signing on the dotted line until they tell me, ‘OK, here’s your backup opponent, and here’s your date, and you’ll fight this guy when Josh gets hurt.’”

Chandler (16-3) has spent all but three of his pro fights competing for Bellator. He has won the title on multiple occasions, and has had memorable fights with the likes of Eddie Alvarez and Will Brooks.

The 30-year-old former University of Missouri wrestling standout knocked out Patricky “Pitbull” Freire in June and scored a split decision vs. former UFC champion Benson Henderson in November. He has won four in a row overall.

Thomson (22-8) is 2-0 with Bellator and was scheduled to meet Chandler back at Bellator 154 before an injury scrapped the contest. The 38-year-old left the UFC in 2015 after a third consecutive decision loss.

michael-chandler

Despite Josh Thomson not seeing the cage in 2016, Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler still views him as the No. 1 contender.

“I want to fight (Thomson) next,” Chandler said during a recent interview with MMAjunkie Radio. “My only stipulation is that I’m not doing it in San Jose (Thomson’s hometown). I’ll do it anywhere else in the world. All I know is, when that fight gets announced, I’m not signing on the dotted line until they tell me, ‘OK, here’s your backup opponent, and here’s your date, and you’ll fight this guy when Josh gets hurt.’”

Chandler (16-3) has spent all but three of his pro fights competing for Bellator. He has won the title on multiple occasions, and has had memorable fights with the likes of Eddie Alvarez and Will Brooks.

The 30-year-old former University of Missouri wrestling standout knocked out Patricky “Pitbull” Freire in June and scored a split decision vs. former UFC champion Benson Henderson in November. He has won four in a row overall.

Thomson (22-8) is 2-0 with Bellator and was scheduled to meet Chandler back at Bellator 154 before an injury scrapped the contest. The 38-year-old left the UFC in 2015 after a third consecutive decision loss.

Top 10 Most Exciting MMA Fights Of 2016

With another year coming to a close, everyone embarks on their annual year-end traditions. Many gather with family and friends at this festive time of year, exchanging gifts and holiday cheer. Some concoct a new strategy for keeping their New Year’s resolution, for real this time. Others overindulge in delicious food and drink too much

The post Top 10 Most Exciting MMA Fights Of 2016 appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.

With another year coming to a close, everyone embarks on their annual year-end traditions. Many gather with family and friends at this festive time of year, exchanging gifts and holiday cheer. Some concoct a new strategy for keeping their New Year’s resolution, for real this time. Others overindulge in delicious food and drink too much egg nog.

But fight fans are different. Now is the time to look back and reflect on the past 12 months, and then argue about who had the best knockout, submission, or fight of the year. In this installment of the annual year-end awards from LowKickMMA, we pick and rank the ten best scraps of 2016.

From title shots and super fights with sky-high stakes to undercard tussles that unexpectedly turned into thrilling wars, these were the all-time classics of 2016. Read on for the must-see list of brawls to show that uninitiated family member this holiday season.

10. Michael Bisping vs. Dan Henderson

UFC 204 on October 8, 2016 – Manchester, England:

“The Count” began his unlikely title reign with a most unlikely defense, and it turned into one of the best fights of the year. Many fans and pundits – and other top contenders – maligned Henderson getting a title shot after going 3-6 in his previous nine fights. But the story was too good to pass up.

Bisping sought revenge on the man to hand him his most devastating loss, the infamous, brutal knockout at UFC 100. “Hendo” had been hinting at retirement for some time, and when the fight was announced, he claimed that it would be his swan song. The narratives were set: would Bisping redeem himself or suffer another humiliating loss to his greatest rival? Would Hendo finally capture the UFC belt that had eluded him during his hall of fame career and go out on top?

The bout was extremely tense from the outset. The stakes could not be any higher, a loss for either man a crushing blow. As many expected, the champion had success with his diverse and high-volume kickboxing, while the challenger had his bazooka right hand cocked. Toward the end of the first round, Henderson detonated his famed “H-Bomb” on Bisping’s chin, but the Brit hung on, clinging to consciousness as his American counterpart hammered him relentlessly.

The pattern repeated in round two. Bisping got out to a lead before being felled by another massive right hand. Again, he refused to go away. Henderson failed to connect with a third “H-Bomb” and thus saw his lead slip away over the final three rounds. Observers were split as to who should emerge with the victory, many even scoring the fight a draw. When the judges’ scores were announced, it was Bisping who escaped with his title reign intact.

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Bellator 165 Medical Suspensions: Chandler & Henderson Earn Long Stints

With every decision comes a consequence and for those fighters who took part in battle at Bellator 165, it’s their time to faces those consequences in the form of medical suspensions. The California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) released the event’s medical suspension list on Tuesday. 10 fighters received extended medical suspensions in the aftermath of

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With every decision comes a consequence and for those fighters who took part in battle at Bellator 165, it’s their time to faces those consequences in the form of medical suspensions. The California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) released the event’s medical suspension list on Tuesday. 10 fighters received extended medical suspensions in the aftermath of the event.

Some of the more notable suspensions include Michael Chandler and Benson Henderson being suspended for 180 days.

This event was headlined by Chandler vs. Henderson for the Bellator lightweight title. A key welterweight bout between Michael Page and Fernando Gonzalez served as the co-main event. Rounding out the main card was Linton Vassell vs. Francis Carmont in a light heavyweight bout, Adam Piccolotti vs. Brandon Girtz in a lightweight bout and Keri Melendez vs. Sheila Padilla in a women’s flyweight bout.

Here are the entire medical suspensions:

* Michael Chandler: 180 day medical suspension for right fibular fracture, must be cleared by physician; 60 day medical suspension for hard bout and right eyelid laceration, 45 days no contact
* Benson Henderson: 180 day medical suspension for right ankle fracture, must be cleared by physician
* Sheila Padilla: 180 day medical suspension for fractured nose, must be cleared by physician;45 day medical suspension due to KO, 30 days no contact
* Nick Pica: 180 day medical suspension for right wrist fracture, must be cleared by physician;45 day mandatory suspension for KO, 30 days no contact
* Dominic Sumner: 180 day medical suspension for right fourth metacarpal fracture, must be cleared by physician
J.J. Okanovich: 180 day medical suspension for fractured nose, must be cleared by physician
* Luis Vargas: 180 day medical suspension for hyperextended right elbow, must be cleared by physician; 60 day medical suspension for cut lip, must be cleared by physician.
* Justin Baesman: 60 day medical suspension for left eyelid laceration.
* Beau Hamilton: 60 day medical suspension for scalp laceration
* Cesar Gonzalez: 60 day medical suspension for left eye and scalp lacerations
* Brandon Girtz: 45 day medical suspension for hard bout, 30 days no contact
* Kevin Ferguson Jr.: 45 day medical suspension for exhaustion and dizziness, 30 days no contact; fighter had to be transported by ambulance to hospital after fight, must be cleared by physician
* Carrington Banks: 45 day medical suspension for hard bout, 30 days no contact
* Justin Roswell: 45 day mandatory suspension for TKO, 30 days no contact
* Danasabe Mohammed: 45 day medical suspension for hard bout, 40 days no contact
* Steve Ramirez: 45 day mandatory rest due to KO, 30 days no contact
* Victor Jones: 45 day mandatory suspension for TKO, 30 days no contact; fighter had to be transported by ambulance to hospital due to nausea and severe dehydration, concern for cardiac vs. vasovagal
* Michael Page: 7 day mandatory rest
* Fernando Gonzalez: 7 day mandatory rest
* Adam Piccolotti: 7 day mandatory rest
* Keri-Anne Taylor-Melendez: 7 day mandatory rest
* Linton Vassell: 7 day mandatory rest
* Francis Carmont: 7 day mandatory rest
* Aaron Hamilton: 7 day mandatory rest
* Jake Roberts: 7 day mandatory rest
* Diego Herzog: 7 day mandatory rest
* James Terry: 7 day mandatory rest
* Dwight Grant: 7 day mandatory rest
* Sarah D’Alelio: 7 day mandatory rest
* Jaimelene Nievera: 7 day mandatory rest
* Jeremiah Labiano: 7 day mandatory rest
* Vince Murdock: 7 day mandatory rest
* Alvin Cacdac: 7 day mandatory rest
* Hugo Lujan: 7 day mandatory rest

Bellator 165 took place on November 19, 2016 at the SAP Center in San Jose, California. The prelims aired on SpikeTV.com while the main card kicked off on Spike TV at 9:00 pm EST.

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Bellator 165 Salaries: Benson Henderson & Michael Chandler Top List

The California State Athletic Commission released the Bellator 165 salaries on Tuesday. This event was headlined by two of the world’s top lightweights as two-time Bellator champion Michael Chandler ($50,000) met former UFC champion Benson Henderson ($50,000). A key welterweight bout between Michael Page ($40,000) and Fernando Gonzalez ($20,000) served as the co-main event. Rounding

The post Bellator 165 Salaries: Benson Henderson & Michael Chandler Top List appeared first on LowKick MMA.

The California State Athletic Commission released the Bellator 165 salaries on Tuesday. This event was headlined by two of the world’s top lightweights as two-time Bellator champion Michael Chandler ($50,000) met former UFC champion Benson Henderson ($50,000). A key welterweight bout between Michael Page ($40,000) and Fernando Gonzalez ($20,000) served as the co-main event. Rounding out the main card was Linton Vassell vs. Francis Carmont in a light heavyweight bout, Adam Piccolotti ($24,000) vs. Brandon Girtz ($14,000) in a lightweight bout and Keri Melendez ($20,000) vs. Sheila Padilla ($2,500) in a women’s flyweight bout.

The full Bellator 165 payouts include:

Main Card

Michael Chandler ($50,000 + no win bonus = $50,000) def. Benson Henderson ($50,000)

Michael Page ($20,000 + $20,000 = $40,000) def. Fernando Gonzalez ($20,000)

Adam Piccolotti ($12,000 + $12,000 = $24,000) def. Brandon Girtz ($14,000)

Keri-Anne Taylor-Melendez ($20,000 + no win bonus = $20,000) def. Sheila Padilla ($2,500)

Linton Vassell ($17,000 + $17,000 = $34,000) def. Francis Carmont ($21,000)

Preliminary Card

Aaron Hamilton ($2,000 + $2,000 = $4,000) def. Kevin Ferguson Jr. ($6,000)

Carrington Banks ($10,000 + $10,000 = $20,000) def. Jake Roberts ($6,000)

Diego Herzog ($1,500 + $1,500 = $3,000) def. Nick Pica ($1,500)

James Terry ($3,000 + $3,000 = $6,000) def. Justin Baesman ($2,500)

Dominic Sumner ($1,000 + $1,000 = $2,000) def. Justin Roswell ($1,000)

Dwight Grant ($1,500 + $1,500 = $3,000) def. Danasabe Mohammed ($1,500)

Sarah D’Alelio ($1,500 + $1,500 = $3,000) def. Jaimelene Nievera ($1,500)

Jeremiah Labiano ($2,500 + $2,500 = $5,000) def. Vince Murdock ($2,500)

Alvin Cacdac ($2,500 + $2,500 = $5,000) def. Steve Ramirez ($2,500)

J.J. Okanovich ($1,500 + $1,500 = $3,000) def. Luis Vargas ($1,000)

Beau Hamilton ($1,000 + $1,000 = $2,000) def. Victor Jones ($1,000)

Hugo Lujan ($1,000 + $1,000 = $2,000) def. Cesar Gonzalez ($1,000)

Bellator 165 took place on November 19, 2016 at the SAP Center in San Jose, California. The prelims aired on SpikeTV.com while the main card kicked off on Spike TV at 9:00 pm EST.

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Fallout Bellator 165: Did Michael Chandler Deserve His Win Over Ben Henderson?

Yes I’m a little late with this one but nevertheless, it’s still a topic that should be touched upon. These days it seems that judging mixed martial arts matches are getting more and more difficult. While one judge may focus on damage inflicted, others will focus on the technical aspects of the fight while yet another may be focused on how much control one fighter established over another. No matter how you slice it, things are as confusing as ever, even with the revamped judging criteria. The match up between Michael Chandler and Ben Henderson demonstrates that point perfectly.

The post Fallout Bellator 165: Did Michael Chandler Deserve His Win Over Ben Henderson? appeared first on Cagepotato.

Yes I’m a little late with this one but nevertheless, it’s still a topic that should be touched upon. These days it seems that judging mixed martial arts matches are getting more and more difficult. While one judge may focus on damage inflicted, others will focus on the technical aspects of the fight while yet another may be focused on how much control one fighter established over another. No matter how you slice it, things are as confusing as ever, even with the revamped judging criteria. The match up between Michael Chandler and Ben Henderson demonstrates that point perfectly.

The match started out heavily in Michael Chandler’s favor, landing a bunch of solid punches on Henderson’s chin. The former UFC lightweight champion survived the onslaught to come back and arguably take the second round. By the end of third frame however, Chandler did enough to get ahead in the score cards with some well placed strikes and wrestling.

Then round four begun.

Round four saw Chandler taking down Henderson multiple times only to find himself getting beat up from the bottom and defending multiple submission attempts. While many judges score takedowns heavily, the work that Henderson put in, particularly the ground and pound, was certainly more damaging and threatening than what Chandler offered up. This is where judging criteria becomes more murky and less of a science.

With Henderson taking the last round the fight was truly a toss up. Chandler was declared the winner but not without some controversy. MMA judging will always be an issue it seems and in the case of Chandler vs Henderson it reared its ugly head once again. One thing is certain, it’s a fight that should definitely be run back. Not just for the sake of the fans and the fighters, but to build even more interest and exposure for Bellator.

How did you score Michael Chandler vs Ben Henderson?


Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his Twitter and Facebook to keep up with his antics.

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Bellator 165 Highlights Featuring Chandler-Henderson, Michael Page

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2s35PNY80P0[/embed]

The MMA world was treated to a plethora of fight action this past weekend, as two UFC events and a Bellator card all went down.

At Bellator 165, Michael Chandler defended his lightweigh…

bellator-165-poster

The MMA world was treated to a plethora of fight action this past weekend, as two UFC events and a Bellator card all went down.

At Bellator 165, Michael Chandler defended his lightweight title vs. former UFC champion Benson Henderson. The bout went the full distance, with Chandler showing his wrestling skills with a huge first round suplex.

Michael Page picked up a victory on the main card, as did Keri Melendez – the wife of former Strikeforce champion Gilbert Melendez.