UNCASVILLE, Conn. – Few fighters have Michael Chandler’s Bellator award – but his promotional trip may be coming to an end.
After his Bellator 243 knockout against Benson Henderson, Chandler (21-5 MMA, 18-5 BMMA) was emotional in the cage. Chandler first joined the independent agency and considered his tenure with the promotion.
Chandler, 36, entered the emotions in his post-fight press conference. Chandler, a three-time former Bellator lightweight champion who has been with the company since 2010, reflected on his time in the promotion and expressed his love for his family.
“My heart is so full,” said Chandler. “I am so overjoyed in love with my wife and son. I haven’t seen her in 12 weeks – hardly. Of course we will make the best possible decision on the business side. I think there is no doubt that Bellator is the organization they are because of the blood, sweat and tear performances (and) “Fights of the Year” that I have hosted here. It is also certain that I would not be where I am and who I am without the amazing people in this organization and how well they looked after me – the promotion, the bright lights.
“Man, my ribs hurt, my feet hurt, my leg hurts, (but) I look forward to getting home and seeing my family. I’ll take a little trip. Bellator, my phone is on. Like every contract, we have an exclusive negotiation period. “
Finishing Henderson, a former UFC champion, is just an award three other bouts can claim. Only Rafael dos Anjos had ended Henderson with strikes before Chandler’s appearance on Friday night. Chandler recognizes the feat he has accomplished, which ultimately served as an indicator that he is at the top of his game.
“The guy won’t finish and I finished it with a shift, switched to the south paw and knocked him out with my left hand,” said Chandler. “I just turned 34 years old. I feel like the best striker I’ve ever seen. I just got used to this fight. “
When asked if he had proven something not only to promotions and fans, but also to himself, Chandler delved into a career reflection. He admitted feeling tremendous pressure to get into the final fight of his contract, even if he hadn’t admitted it out loud beforehand. Chandler said he always bet on himself – and that almost always pays off.
“I wouldn’t be the man I am today without taking a risk to myself,” said the former University of Missouri wrestler. “As every single person in Jefferson County, Mo said, ‘Why the hell are you going to join this Division 1 wrestling team? You will be a punching bag for five years. You will be a workout dummy. You will never make it. You will drive on the bench. You will never wear this black and gold undershirt. “
“Within a year I was wearing a black and gold undershirt. Within three years, I was an All-American team captain for two or three years. Every little kid out there, take a chance on yourself. Believe in yourself. Believe that you were designed, and created and constructed for more career success than your wildest dreams could ever have imagined. We did that here tonight. That means nothing to Bellator. I love this organization. I love what you did for me. I love every single heartbeat. “
Bellator 243 took place in Mohegan Sun on Friday. The main card was simulated after the preliminary runs on MMA Junkie on Paramount Network and DAZN.
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