American fighter Michael Chandler heads into free agency on a high after obliterating his Bellator 234 opponent
- Michael Chandler beat Benson Henderson for the second time in his career Friday, this time by first-round knockout.
- A former three-time Bellator champion, Chandler now heads into free agency has picked up a huge victory to entice offers.
- It is unclear whether he will re-sign with Bellator to pursue an unprecedented status as a four-time champion with the company, or seek an offer from the UFC.
- In his post-fight interview, Chandler said: "Every single lightweight on the entire planet, you're on notice."
- Watch his knockout win below.
An American fighter called Michael Chandler heads into free agency on a high after obliterating his Bellator 234 opponent.
Chandler has been a Bellator MMA competitor for a decade.
During that run, he has been a three-time Bellator lightweight champion, beating big-name athletes like Patricky Freire, Eddie Alvarez, and now Henderson, twice.
At the Santa Monica-based fight firm's behind-closed-doors event at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut, Chandler, who only edged Henderson with a split decision win four years ago, left no room for arguments with a brutal knockout victory in Friday's rematch.
After having to adjust to Henderson's hit-em-fast style from the opening bell, the KO arrived in the first round. With a left cross that seemed to catch Henderson unawares, Chandler had his opponent down before following up with a flurry of punches.
Watch it below:
It is unclear whether Chandler will re-sign with Bellator to pursue unprecedented status as a four-time champion with the company, or seek an offer from the UFC.
He told MMA Fighting three months ago that it would be a "business decision."
In his post-fight interview Friday, he said: "Every single lightweight on the entire planet, you're on notice."
With his most recent win, Chandler advances his record to 21 wins (nine knockouts, seven submissions, and five decisions) against five losses.
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