Michael Chandler claims there's a "good chance" Sean O'Malley ends the year as UFC champion

Michael Chandler recently made a bold prediction as it pertains to the UFC bantamweight title picture.

While answering questions on his Twitter account to pass the time, the three-time Bellator lightweight champion was asked whether he believes that Sean O'Malley will end the year as bantamweight champion. The fan asked him whether O'Malley will end the year as champion, which basically implies whether he will win the title and then possibly even defend it at the end of the year.

The fan wrote:

"mystic mike, does sean o’malley end the year as champ" [@MykeJitsu]

'Sugar' is currently the No.1 ranked bantamweight and is expected to receive the next title shot against the upcoming title fight between Aljamain Sterling and the returning Henry Cejudo. 'Iron' responded by saying he believes it's possible for O'Malley to achieve that goal, writing:

"There’s a good chance" [@MikeChandlerMMA]

It will be interesting to see how soon the UFC plans on booking a title between 'Sugar' and the winner of Sterling vs. Cejudo, especially considering that the fight is scheduled to take place in May and the No.1 ranked bantamweight last fought in October.

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Michael Chandler congratulates Benson Henderson on his retirement

Michael Chandler was among the fighters and media members who paid tribute to Benson Henderson as he announced his retirement from MMA after his title fight loss to Usman Nurmagomedov at Bellator 292.

'Iron', who fought and defeated Henderson twice during his tenure in the promotion, congratulated the former WEC and UFC lightweight champion on his career and mentioned that he was honored to have been able to compete against him in the cage, writing:

"Congrats on a beautiful and illustrious career @BensonHenderson. It was an honor to watch you for years, aspire to compete against you and then share the cage with you. You’re truly one of the best of all time."

Henderson signed a four-fight extension with the intent of winning the Bellator lightweight championship and the lightweight Grand Prix, but fell short of that goal as he was submitted in his first-round matchup with Nurmagomedov.