Coming off of his big win over Benson Henderson in the main event for Bellator 243, Michael Chandler, who is now a free agent, spoke with MMA Fighting to talk about his plans for free agency, and how he come to the decision to fight out his contract and test the market after being one of Bellator’s top fighters for over a decade.
“Scott Coker had the opportunity to sign me five months ago, six months ago, four months ago before this fight happened, and it didn’t happen,” Chandler told MMA Fighting. “So there’s really not a huge (amount of) time that we need to sit here and negotiate, Scott (Coker). You had the opportunity (to re sign me), you let me go into free agency, you said I’m not 21 years old anymore and I just finished your best lightweight that you have on the roster besides me. So I don’t understand why (the negotiation period) needs to be any longer than right now.”
Chandler is still open to re-signing with Bellator if the money is right, however, he did admit that the idea of finishing the rubber match with Eddie Alvarez over in ONE Championship, or fighting all the top ten lightweights in the UFC are also two very enticing options for him.
“I love the idea of going to ONE Fighting Championship, finishing the trilogy with Eddie (Alvarez) fighting across the world,” said Chandler. “I love the idea of fighting all the top ten (lightweights) in the UFC. I love the idea of staying with Bellator for the next ten fights, getting a job on the mic behind the desk, sailing off into the sunset being the most decorated Bellator fighter of all-time. I love all those different options.”
Chandler is currently in an exclusive negotiating period with Bellator, he has not spoken with any other MMA promotions at this time.
Source: MMA Fighting
