When one looks down the list of talent in mixed martial arts to reach top-tier status without ever stepping foot inside the Octagon, it doesn't take long to see the name Michael Chandler. The current and two-time Bellator lightweight champion has reigned as one of Bellator's posterboys for nearly half-a-decade, carving a wide, unforgiving swathe across the 155-pound landscape since his 2011 breakout win against Eddie Alvarez.
Over that time, Chandler has emerged alongside WSOF champion Justin Gaethje as one of only two homegrown lightweights in the division to be consistently ranked among the world's best while never entertaining the call of the UFC.