Michael Chandler is staying with Bellator MMA.
The former lightweight champion had fought out his previous deal earlier this year, but after lengthy negotiations, Bellator president Scott Coker confirmed to ESPN that Chandler has signed a new multi-fight contract.
“I’m happy that we were able to come to terms with Michael Chandler on a new fight contract,” Coker said. “He’s had a ton of great fights with us already, is a great representative for the brand and there’s something to be said about him being with the Bellator family as long as he has.”
“I look forward to sitting down with the team and putting together a plan for when fans can expect to see Michael in big fights soon,” Coker added.
Chandler (18-4) has fought under the Bellator banner for all but three fights of his entire MMA career. He’s held the lightweight title twice, but most recently lost the belt to Brent Primus due to a leg injury in June 2017. After beating Goiti Yamauchi, Chandler was slated to face Primus in a rematch in April, but Primus withdrew from injury, and Chandler wound up fighting Brandon Girtz, whom he quickly submitted. Primus remains out of action and the belt has gone undefended for more than a year now.
So if you were hoping for Chandler to head to the UFC, it’s not happening. Outside of the Primus rematch, a showdown with featherweight champ Patricio Freire could be in the cards down the line (although not until 2019), and he’s also interested in a trilogy with Eddie Alvarez, whose UFC contract is now up.