Michael Chandler Gives His Take On Former Promotion Bellator's 'Bittersweet' Sale To The PFL

During a recent interview with ESPN MMA's Marc Raimondi, one-time UFC lightweight title challenger Michael Chandler reacted to Bellator's sale to the PFL. "Iron" competed under the banner of the Scott Coker-led organzation prior to jumping ship to the Octagon.

Across a decade-long career in Bellator, Chandler held the 155-pound championship on three separate occasions and defeated the likes of Benson Henderson, Brent Primus, Eddie Alvarez, and Patricky Pitbull.

While he's since grown his star and found a home in the UFC, Chandler looks back fondly on his time elsewhere. That's certainly the case when it comes to the people he worked with under the Bellator banner, all of whom he's wishing nothing but the best to following the PFL merger.

"It's bittersweet," Chandler said. "Bellator... it's a good product, but it was the people behind Bellator that I absolutely loved, man. Coker, Jon Slusser, and Kevin Kay... These names that maybe not a lot of people know, but they were important to me. These were men and women that were a part of my life for a decade.

"I had a lot of text messages and phone calls with these people. It was bittersweet, and it's interesting to see what happens moving forward," Chandler continued. "Like I said, you've got a product, but it's the people behind it. I wish them all the best, and I wish all the Bellator fighters and PFL fighters the best because, ultimately, a rising tide raises all ships and we wanna see the sport of mixed martial arts flourish. Of course, the UFC is and will remain for a very long time the worldwide leader, but it's cool to see the PFL doing what they're doing."

Upon the announcement of the acquisition, the PFL laid out how it plans on integrating Bellator into its organization in 2024. In addition to the Bellator International Champions Series, that's set to include an event pitting the PFL's titleholders against Bellator's.

While the mixed martial arts community will be eagerly awaiting the fights and cards that following the PFL's purchase of Bellator, many will also have their eyes on Chandler's exploits.

Having thrilled with knockouts and barnburners across a 2-3 run in the UFC to date, Chandler is gearing up for an expected collision with MMA's biggest superstar, Conor McGregor.

Although a date for the consistently delayed matchup remains unknown, the ex-Bellator champ expects to welcome the Irishman back to action at some point in 2024.