Report: Champ Patricio Freire vs. Champ Michael Chandler Slated for Bellator 221

Breaking: Michael Chandler and Patricio “Pitbull” will finally get a chance to settle their 3+ year feud on May 11. It’s champ vs. champ with Chandler’s 155 belt on the line. Also, the return of Swagger, A.J. McKee v Pat Curran and more — https://t.co/dhVz2ZEvX6

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) February 14, 2019

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The era of champion vs. champion is still underway at Bellator MMA, as featherweight champ Patricio Freire is reportedly moving to lightweight to face bitter rival Michael Chandler for the lightweight strap at Bellator 221 in May.

According to sources telling ESPN on Thursday, featherweight kingpin Freire (28-4) will be going up in weight to challenge lightweight king Chandler (19-4) for the lightweight belt at Bellator 221 in May at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois. The two have feuded on social media for a long time, so it appears they will finally get their wish to square off for the highest of stakes possible.

Additionally, the report states that the welterweight tournament will feature one of its semifinal matchups at this event, between Douglas Lima and the victor between the upcoming battle of Paul Daley and Michael Page. The undefeated A.J. McKee will meet former featherweight champ Pat Curran as well. Finally, Jake Hager is set to return to compete at this event as well after his successful debut in MMA at Bellator 214 last month, against an opponent to be announced

Freire will be looking to add another belt to his mantle and become the company's second simultaneous two-division champ. He will also be looking to avenge a pair of losses his brother Patricky Freire suffered at the hands of Chandler at Bellators 44 and 157. Freire made one lone outing up to the lightweight division in 2016, where he faced Benson Henderson and lost after suffering a leg injury. One of the winningest fighters in Bellator history, he and Chandler are currently tied with the most wins in Bellator history at 16.

Chandler took his belt back after a hard-fought decision win over Brent Primus at Bellator 212 in December. The organization’s only three-time champion, he will be making his 21st appearance inside the Bellator cage along with Freire, putting them in a four-way tie with David Rickels and Patricky Freire for the most bouts in Bellator history. Both Chandler and Patricio are riding three-fight win streaks coming into their meeting.