Former Mizzou Wrestler Chandler Joins Bellator Lightweight Tourney

Michael Chandler (top) joined Bellator's Season four lightweight fold.| Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com

A onetime NCAA Div. I All-American and team captain at the University of Missouri, Chandler transitioned to MMA in August 2008, twice competing for Strikeforce before inking a multi-fight deal with Bellator last September. In his first month with the company, the 24-year-old needed a total of 2:54 to register a pair of first-round stoppage wins, running his perfect record to 5-0.

“I never want to be known as the typical ‘lay and pray’ wrestler,” Chandler stated in a release. “I want to break away from the traditional wrestling mold that a lot of guys have. People say that all wrestlers just want to take their opponents down and lay on them for three rounds, but I want to go out there and finish them. I don’t want to just go out there and win, I want to go out there and dominate.”

Chandler is the third fighter confirmed for the 155-pound bracket, joining former WEC lightweight champion Rob McCullough and Season two tournament semi-finalist Carey Vanier. Unconfirmed participants include two-time runner-up Toby Imada, 18-year-old Polish phenom Marcin Held, Olympic judoka Ferrid Kheder, and new signees Patricky “Pitbull” Freire and Lloyd Woodard.

With only five bouts under his belt, Chandler will enter as the least experienced competitor in the tournament. However, the Xtreme Couture representative seems unconcerned, staying focused instead on simply relishing the opportunity.

“It’s not to take away from anybody or that I just think I’m going to smash all of these guys on my way to [Bellator lightweight champion Eddie] Alvarez,” Chandler said. “It’s just that I’m really excited about the journey I’m about to go through. I’m excited about the next three months of training, and I’m excited about being able to go out there and dominate fight after fight.”

No matchups have been announced for the upcoming season, which airs live on MTV2 and begins with Bellator Fighting Championships 35 on March 5 at the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino in Lemoore, Calif.

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