Former two time Bellator MMA Lightweight Champion Michael Chandler is currently a free agent and the exclusive negotiation rights with Bellator MMA is coming to an end.
Bellator MMA President Scott Coker wants to keep Chandler in the promotion and he doesn’t even believe the UFC will play a role in the fighter's free agency.
“We have every intent to keep him,” said Coker to MMA Junkie. “I feel we’ll get a deal done. I think, really, Michael wants to stay, and we want to keep him, so I don’t even think we’ll get to this point (that he talks to the UFC).”
Chandler has been with Bellator MMA for almost eight years now, holding a record of 15-4-0 in the promotion (18-4-0 overall).
Coker would even go as far as to say that the former lightweight champion is the face of the company.
“He’s the face of Bellator – for such a long time,” Coker stated. “The performances that he’s had in the cage – even before I got here – he’s been fantastic. He has one of the greatest fights in the history of this company, with him and Eddie Alvarez."
If Chandler does leave Bellator MMA, it would mean that his victory over Brandon Girtz at Bellator 197 would mark his final bout with the promotion.
