Former Bellator lightweight champ Michael Chandler signed with the UFC and serves as a Plan B in the case someone in the Khabib Nurmagomedov-Justin Gaethje falls out for any reason. The announcement was made on Thursday by Dana White.
Chandler (21-5) has been with Bellator since 2010 and his last fight for the company came this past August as he stopped Benson Henderson in the very first round.
Chandler is set to be the backup fighter for October’s UFC 254 main event on Fight Island. Since Chandler would be a replacement fighter, he would be able to get into the company faster regarding USADA testing as the UFC anti-doping policy allows for such short-notice of individuals in the testing pool.
Payout Perspective:
The news of the signing at about the same time there was a hearing on the UFC antitrust lawsuit seems a happy coincidence. Regardless, the Chandler signing is good news for the company and the lightweight division as it brings in another fighter to vie for the best 155 pound fighter in the world.
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