Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler has signed an eight-fight extension with the Viacom-owned promotion.
“In all my years in combat sports, I’ve never seen the growth and development in a fighter like we’ve all witnessed with Michael Chandler,” Bellator Chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney said in the official release. “I believe Michael is the best lightweight in MMA. Given that, I felt it was paramount to keep Michael [with] Bellator for the long term. Both inside and outside the cage, Michael is a tremendous representative. Now, as one of the highest-paid lightweights in MMA, he’s without question earned that distinction.”
Chandler, 27, has produced a perfect 11-0 pro record since making his MMA debut in 2009. The former University of Missouri wrestling standout arrived in Bellator in 2010 and captured the Season 4 lightweight tournament crown before submitting Eddie Alvarez to win the organization’s world title the following year. Chandler then successfully defended his belt on Jan. 17, tapping Rick Hawn with a second-round rear-naked choke at Bellator 85.