SAITAMA, JAPAN – Michael Chandler is back in the win column.
Coming off of a belt-losing effort against Patricio Freire in May, Chandler (20-5 MMA, 17-5 BMMA) returned to form at Bellator 237 on Saturday night. The former Bellator lightweight champion finished Sidney Outlaw at 2:59 of Round 1.
The fight took place on the feet, with Chandler being the aggressor. Less than three minutes into the opening round, a straight right hand from Chandler crumpled former Titan FC champion Outlaw. Before a dazed Outlaw could regain his bearings, Chandler landed another hard right hand to finish off the fight.
Chandler’s victory lands him back in the win column after losing to Freire. At Bellator 221 in May, Freire finished Chandler in just 61 seconds. Chandler has now won eight out his most recent 10 outings.
The loss snaps Outlaw’s nine-fight win streak and signifies his first loss under the Bellator banner. Outlaw’s previous defeat came to UFC lightweight contender Gregor Gillespie at Ring of Combat 55 in June 2016.
Outlaw was not Chandler’s originally scheduled opponent. Taking the fight on short-notice, Outlaw replaced UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson. Chandler vs. Henderson was supposed to be a rematch of the two fighters’ November 2016 bout, which saw the former win by split decision.
The 160-pound catchweight bout served as the Bellator 237 co-main event, which took place at Saitama Super Arena in Japan. The card aired on Paramount and streamed on DAZN.
Up-to-the-minute Bellator 237 results include:
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- Michael Chandler def. Sidney Outlaw via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 2:59
- Michael Page def. Shinsho Anzai via knockout (punch) – Round 2, 0:23
- Lorenz Larkin def. Keita Nakamura via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)
- Kana Watanabe def. Ilara Joanne via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 4:39
- Goiti Yamauchi def. Daron Cruickshank via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:11
