Former Bellator champion Michael Chandler hopes that his former promotion figures out a way to stand tall in the face of an uncertain future.
Bellator 300 takes place this weekend in San Diego, California. The event could be one of the last cards in Bellator’s history amidst rumors that the PFL is close to purchasing the promotion.
Bellator 300 is headlined by a lightweight matchup between Usman Nurmagomedov and Brent Primus.
Chandler, who made himself into a household name in Bellator before making his way to the UFC, is one of a slew of standouts who benefitted by competing in the Bellator cage.
Michael Chandler Weighs In On Bellator’s Uncertain Future
In a recent interview on The MMA Hour, Chandler gave his thoughts on Bellator’s upcoming sale and the impact the promotion had on him.
“There definitely is [emotion],” Chandler said. “I wouldn’t be where I am if it not for me having all those fights in Bellator. I have to say, Scott Coker personally invited me this weekend to be at Bellator 300…it was a part of my life for a very long time, definitely some ups and some downs, and taught me a lot about myself and the industry…
“If it does come to an end, it’ll definitely be bittersweet to see them go, because in large part, I was a big reason that Bellator became Bellator.”
Before joining the UFC in 2020, Michael Chandler enjoyed multiple stints as the Bellator lightweight champion, earning wins over the likes of Benson Henderson and Eddie Alvarez. He’s turned himself into a star in the UFC despite losses in three of his last four fights.
The Bellator lightweight division during Michael Chandler’s promotional tenure was one of the best in mixed martial arts. Michael Chandler’s rivalries with Alvarez, Primus, and Henderson brought immense attention to the Bellator cage.
As Bellator enters its potentially final days, Michael Chandler and others hope that the illustrious history produced in the promotion will be etched in the sport for years to come.