Michael Chandler’s highlight reel is deep. After all, he is one of the most successful pound-for-pound fighters in Bellator history.
Arguably, no finish is more poignant than his 134-second knockout of Patricky Freire at Bellator 157 in June 2016.
In a rematch of their May 2011 bout at Bellator 44, the two fighters met for a second time. In repeat fashion, Chandler walked away victorious. However, unlike the first meeting, the judges weren’t needed.
With his Bellator lightweight title on the line, Chandler delivered a vicious straight right. The blow stiffened “Pitbull” – his consciousness leaving him in brutal fashion. No follow up shots were needed, as Freire was out before he even hit the ground.
After a pair of backflips, Chandler hopped on the cage and was confronted by Patricky’s brother, Patricio Freire. As the Bellator featherweight champion hurled insults at the man who had just defeated his brother, Chandler signaled a throat slash in return.
Eventually, Patricio “Pitbull” would get his revenge and knock out Chandler at Bellator 221 in May 2019.
On Saturday Dec. 29, Chandler will return to action to take on former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson. The bout is expected to co-headline Bellator 237 at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. The card will air on Paramount Network after prelims on MMA Junkie.
Relive Michael Chandler’s brutal knockout over Patricky “Pitbull” at “Bellator 157: Dynamite 2” in the video above.
