Bellator President Scott Coker is aware of Michael Chandler's desire to test free agency and will have serious talks with the former three-time champion very soon.
Chandler scored a first-round knockout over former UFC lightweight champion Ben Henderson in the main event of Bellator 243. The victory served as the final fight of Chandler's current Bellator contract. Coker says talks with Chandler have begun and will move forward in a big way soon.
“We’re in dialogue, and there will be a serious conversation probably this coming week, and we’ve been talking to Michael for a while,” Coker said to MMA Junkie. “He’s been wanting to test free agency, and look, free agency is a great opportunity for the fighters. I don’t even think Michael knows where he’ll end up at this point. If we sign him, I think we have some great fights ahead for him, and I’m sure he wants to fight ‘Pitbull’ (Patricio Freire) again because that was a big win for ‘Pitbull.’ I think you’ll see a lot of 155 pounders come in our company and grow in our company. I see a lot of guys jumping from 145 to 155, and I think ‘Pitbull’ proved that to be effective. Free agency works both ways, but we love Michael Chandler. He’s been an ambassador for the company, and we’ll see what happens.”
Chandler has spent nearly a decade competing in Bellator, picking up multiple lightweight titles during his time in the promotion. The fighter has previously stated his interest in signing with other promotions such as the UFC, PFL and/or ONE Championship.
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