Michael Chandler has felt ready to face UFC competition for several years but it wasn’t until recently that the former Bellator lightweight champion finally pulled the trigger on a deal.
After reaching free agency following a first-round stoppage against ex-UFC champ Benson Henderson in what would become his final fight for the Viacom-owned promotion, Chandler inked a multi-fight deal to join the UFC.
He had tested free agency previously but ultimately decided each time to return to Bellator. So what changed that convinced Chandler to join the UFC now?
“I think it was timing coupled with my last couple performances,” Chandler told MMA Fighting.