Bellator
Former Bellator Champ Michael Chandler leaving himself open to all future options, including the UFC
May 26, 2015 - 11:45:46 AM Former Bellator Champ Michael Chandler leaving himself open to all future options, including the UFC

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

"My goal is to become the best lightweight in the world. I'm happy with my situation. More than anything – I'm not focused on contracts, I'm not focused on the money, and I'm not focused on anything besides getting in that cage and winning and winning dominantly. Once I take care of that business, we're going to see a progression of where this sport is going and a kind of intertwining of the two organizations with different fighters, and we'll see what happens...

I'm very happy with Bellator. I love [Bellator President] Scott Coker. I think he's a great guy. I owe Bellator a lot for getting me where I am. At the end of the day, it's about me fighting and me providing for my family. I think you just look at it where if an opportunity presents itself, I've got to make the best decision for me. If anyone is going to hold that against me, that's fine. But it's my career, it's my life, and it's my body and my head and all that stuff that I'm putting on the line.

I'm not sitting here saying I want to go to the UFC, and I'm not saying I want to stay with Bellator forever, but I am not afraid for what the future holds. More than anything I want to put on a show for the fans, whether it's in an octagon or in a circle cage."

-Michael Chandler talks to MMAJunkie.com about his goals in the sport after losing the Bellator Lightweight Championship, including the potential for a shift out of Bellator.

Penick's Analysis: Chandler's got some rebuilding to do in the Bellator lightweight division after his losses to Eddie Alvarez and Will Brooks, but he remains a highly talented competitor in the 155 lb. division. If he winds up winning several more fights and finishes out his contract without re-signing, I wouldn't be surprised at all if he winds up fighting in the UFC. It's a heavily competitive division, and Chandler could be a great addition if he becomes available. There are a ton of entertaining matchups for him on the UFC roster should he get there, and it's clear he wants to establish himself as on par with the best in the field. It's intriguing to think about, but he's still got a number of fights left in Bellator before that becomes a viable conversation.