Bellator 120’s Michael Chandler on the keys to beating champ Eddie Alvarez

When facing the same opponent for a second or third time, some fighters opt to completely overhaul a game plan in order to ensure a different result.

For Michael Chandler (12-1 MMA, 9-1 BMMA), though, the key to defeating Eddie Alvarez (25-3 MMA, 9-1 BMMA) in their trilogy bout later this month at Bellator 120 is to do everything the same as the previous time – except a little bit differently.

“To a certain extent you have to look back because history is the best indication of the future sometimes,” Chandler recently told MMAjunkie Radio. “A lot of constants are going to be the same with him when I step in the cage. It’s going to be fast paced – at least one guy trying to take the other guy’s head off. We both have great cardio, great skills. It’s just a matter of who is going to win the positions. I just need to tweak a few things.”

Chandler defeated Alvarez by fourth-round submission in their first meeting at Bellator 58, and in the rematch, Alvarez outpointed Chandler for five rounds en route to a narrow split-decision victory. Both bouts earned “Fight of the Year” consideration.

The 28-year-old Chandler lost the Bellator lightweight title in the most recent fight, which stings just as much or more than the defeat itself. To this day, Chandler feels that he should have gotten the decision. That bugs him a lot and serves as potent motivation going into the May 17 trilogy bout, which airs on pay-per-view form the Landers Center in Southaven, Miss.

“I think the biggest disappointment in the last fight wasn’t the way the decision went,” Chandler said. “It wasn’t how the fight played out. It was just the fact I didn’t show how good of a fighter I truly am.”

Alvarez’s strategy in the second fight this past November consisted of a lot of footwork mixed in with counter-wrestling and counter-striking. The game plan was clearly effective as he battered and bruised Chandler’s face over the course of 25 minutes.

Alvarez’s game plan got him the victory on that night, but it’s not as if he completely dominated in any facet. Chandler feels that is a positive, and it tells him that only a few changes need to be made in order to guarantee he comes out on the winning end.

“He made some adjustments and had a good game plan,” Chandler said. “That game plan was just to avoid the fight at all costs unless he really saw himself able to do some damage. He was backing up the entire fight. I think that’s what he thinks is his ‘blueprint.’ He’s telling everyone he’s got the blueprint to beat Michael Chandler.”

Chandler feels strongly about Alvarez’s level of engagement in the second fight, but in the end, he can’t change the past. The third fight is a clean slate for both men; however, there’s no question some of the previous tactics are going to trickle over.

The fight will likely be decided by minor tweaks and changes, but those details are crucial when both men are in the cage. Chandler doesn’t plan on getting picked apart for five more rounds, and he’s determined to shut the door on his rivalry with Alvarez by earning a decisive finish.

“He didn’t really take a forward step many times in that fight,” Chandler said. “His game plan was to back up and pot shot with little jabs. Lucky for him I didn’t care that I was getting hit and kept coming forward. He was able to land some punches, and that was the story of the fight. It was me chasing him around for 25 minutes.

“I go into the third fight expecting a blend of Eddie in the first fight and Eddie in the second fight. But I’m expecting him to show up like the second fight, so I’m tailoring my game plan more toward that. I’m excited to get in the cage and avenge this loss and hopefully finish him.”

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