Michael Chandler
About
Michael Chandler is an American professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Lightweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). A professional competitor since 2009, Chandler first gained notoriety when he began competing for Bellator MMA, an organization he fought for from 2010 through 2020. There, Chandler became a three-time Bellator Lightweight Champion and was the winner of the Bellator Season Four Lightweight Tournament, and held a promotional win–loss record of 18–5. In Chandler's first UFC year in 2021, he challenged for the UFC Lightweight Championship, knocked out top contender Dan Hooker, and fought Justin Gaethje in what was voted as the 2021 UFC Fight of the Year. He also competed in collegiate wrestling out of the University of Missouri, where he earned NCAA Division I All-American honors. As of November 2, 2021, he is #5 in the UFC lightweight rankings.