Bellator champ Michael Chandler shuts down Benson Henderson rematch possibility
From the sound of things, it won’t be easy for Benson Henderson to get a rematch with Michael Chandler.
The Bellator lightweight champ dismissed Henderson’s wish of facing the winner of his Bellator 221 headliner opposite featherweight champ Patricio Freire.
“When I win this fight, we’ll see what’s next,” Chandler told MMA Junkie during a conference call in support of the May 11 event at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Ill. “Benson Henderson doesn’t really excite me. He’s a guy that can fight until he’s 50 years old and do exactly what he’s doing right now and always have decently close fights.”
Chandler defeated Henderson via split decision nearly three years ago at Bellator 165. It was Henderson’s second failed bid for a Bellator belt since migrating from the UFC, where he was a champ.
Although Henderson has since won his past three fights, including a split decision over up-and-comer Adam Piccolotti this past Saturday at Bellator 220, Chandler isn’t convinced.
“Just because Benson has won a couple of fights against sub-par opponents doesn’t mean he’s back, or he’s a top contender,” Chandler said. “A fight against him doesn’t really excite me. He’s a guy you don’t really want to fight because he doesn’t do anything for you. I’ve already dismantled him once, and I think after this fight we’re going to look to see what’s next.”
Freire hopes to upset Chandler and capture the lightweight title. Freire’s also got history with Henderson, who broke his leg in their August 2016 fight. Despite that, “Pitbull” doesn’t seem in a rush to get revenge.
“This belt is going to signify me taking off my opponent’s head, and that’s what the belt is going to be – Michael Chandler’s head on a spike,” Freire said. “It’s not really about the belt. It’s about him paying for everything he said.
“(Henderson) has got to ask for the rematch. He lost the fight to me.”
Facts aside, Freire and Chandler will sort out the championship that Henderson is gunning for down the line.
For more on Bellator 221, check out the MMA Rumors section of the site.