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Michael Chandler fought under the Bellator banner for a decade, from 2010 to 2020, before signing with the UFC. He was the official backup for Khabib Nuramgomedov vs. Justin Gaethje at UFC 254 and made his official UFC debut against Dan Hooker at UFC 257.
Chandler made a statement by securing a first-round TKO victory, and he took home the Performance of the Night bonus for the impressive win. His triumph not only marked a successful transition from Bellator to the UFC, but also launched him straight into title contention.
Chandler recalled his explosive UFC debut in his recent post on X with a two-word caption:
"The start!"
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Chandler showcased his explosive power and speed from the outset. He quickly closed the distance between himself and Hooker, landing a vicious left hook that floored 'The Hangman'. This was immediately followed up with a battery of punches that ended the bout at 2:30 into the first round.
Following this impressive debut, Chandler fought for the belt against Charles Oliveira, but came up short. He has since struggled with inconsistency, with his UFC record standing at 2-4. He was expected to face Conor McGregor last year, but that matchup failed to materialize.
Patricio 'Pitbull' Freire refers to Michael Chandler as his "easiest fight"
Patricio 'Pitbull' Freire rekindled his feud with Michael Chandler by posting a video of his dominant 2019 knockout victory.
The rivalry dates back to when Chandler defeated Patrício's brother, Patricky Freire, at Bellator 157 in 2016. Eager to avenge the loss to his brother, Patrício fought Chandler at Bellator 221 in 2019, securing a first-round knockout. He claimed the Bellator lightweight championship and became a dual-weight champion.
Boasting about his victory, 'Pitbull' recently took to X, fueling speculation about a potential trilogy bout. He remarked:
“The easiest fight in my career”
Chandler is currently competing in the UFC, while Freire has been released from his PFL contract due to contract disputes.
