1. The Rematch:
In 2016 Michael Chandler was the Bellator lightweight champion. Former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson was the challenger. The end result was a split decision victory for Chandler to retain his belt. A dominant first round for Chandler, a sneaky push from Henderson in the deep championship rounds, and the judges were torn. Now four years later, they’re running it back.
This is a rematch that the fighting world has wanted to see for a long time. Henderson is one of only four fighters to hold a win over current Bellator lightweight (and featherweight) champion Patricio Pitbull. Chandler has held the belt on three separate occasions, dating back to his Fight of the Year classic with Eddie Alvarez in 2011.
Chandler is a free agent following this fight and hasn’t committed to returning to Bellator, although he’s indicated he’s not opposed to it. Henderson is 36 years of age, on a four fight winning streak that comes just as many had begun to question if he is out of his prime. The rematch is set, and it is the main reason that Bellator 243 is can’t miss stuff.
