Michael Chandler eyes for a Rory McDonald match in the future
Rory MacDonald is Bellator MMA’s newest high-profile signing and that has Michael Chandler feeling happy. Not only is it another big name coming into the promotion he has helped build, but also a potential opponent.
Chandler, the Bellator lightweight champion, told Ariel Helwani on Monday’s edition of The MMA Hour that a fight with MacDonald is one that he is very interested in down the road. MacDonald fights in the welterweight division, but Chandler said he’d have no problem moving up. Chandler said he’s walking around right now at 190 pounds, so fighting at 170 wouldn’t be much of a problem.
“The good thing for me is I think that’s a fight I could have in my future,” Chandler said. “I would definitely step up to 170 and make that fight happen. I want the biggest fights that Bellator has to offer.”
Chandler (15-3) first must contend with former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson on Nov. 19 in San Jose. Henderson beat Patricio Freire due to a “Pitbull” fractured leg last week at Bellator 160 in Anaheim to set up his title shot. Chandler is very confident going into that bout.
“When it comes to stepping in the cage, I think he can’t hang with me,” Chandler said of Henderson. … “I think it’s the perfect time for me; I think it’s the wrong time for him. It’s gonna be sweet to step in the cage with him.”
After Henderson, Chandler is still looking at a fight with Josh Thomson. The two were supposed to face each other in the spring, but Thomson was sidelined with an injury. Chandler believes there is still some “unfinished business” there.
Once those two bouts are completed, Chandler said he wants a piece of MacDonald.
“I want big fights, I want exciting fights and I want fight that fans can put their eye balls on,” Chandler said.
Chandler, 30, has been with Bellator for six years and is a two-time lightweight champion. He’s been in some of the best fights in Bellator history. The Missouri native is happy that names like MacDonald, Henderson, Thomson, Matt Mitrione and Phil Davisare making the move from the UFC to Bellator.
“I think, like [MacDonald] said there on the broadcast, he was made an offer that he could not and that nobody could match and that’s kind of the trend,” Chandler said. “You’re seeing that now. There’s pros and cons of both organizations. I can’t attest to fighting in the UFC, but he seems like he made the right decision for himself and we’ll see what happens.”
MacDonald most likely will not fight until summer 2017 while he heals a recurring broken nose issue. His opponent could be Bellator welterweight champion Andrey Koreshkov and Chandler would be very interested in checking out that matchup.
“That guy in particular is a tough fighter,” Chandler said of Koreshkov. “I think the guy we saw Ben Askren dismantle and make look like a little child is not the same Koreshkov. Especially against a guy who will stand and trade with him (like MacDonald).”
Category: Mixed Martial Arts
