Michael Chandler

Michael Chandler (born April 24, 1986) is an American professional mixed martial artist.

He currently competes in the Lightweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Upon graduating from Northwest High School in 2004, Chandler enrolled at the University of Missouri without an athletic scholarship, walking onto the school's wrestling squad.

While at Missouri, Chandler was a four-time NCAA Division I qualifier, collected 100 career wins, as well as earning fifth place at NCAA's as a senior, earning DI All-American honors.

Chandler earned runner–up honors in the 2008 and 2009 Big 12 Championships and was awarded automatic bids to three of the four NCAA Championships he competed in.

Chandler compiled a 31–15 record against Big 12 opponents and a 100–40 overall record in his four years as a starter.

He majored in personal finance management services with a minor in real estate.

He also built a close relationship with two–time Dan Hodge Trophy winner and eventual Bellator MMA World Champion Ben Askren and two–time All–American and eventual UFC Welterweight Champion Tyron Woodley.

Immediately after his wrestling career was over, Chandler began training mixed martial arts at Xtreme Couture.

A professional competitor since 2009, Chandler first gained notoriety while competing for Bellator MMA, an organization he competed in from 2010 through 2020.

There, Chandler became a three-time Bellator Lightweight Champion and was the winner of the Bellator Season Four Lightweight Tournament.

As of July 17, 2023, he is #5 in the UFC lightweight rankings.

Chandler was born and raised in High Ridge, Missouri, the second of four children to Michael Sr. and Betty Chandler.

He is of German and Irish heritage.

Chandler was on the honor roll every term in high school, received three letters in football, and finished as the runner–up at the MSHSAA State Championships as a senior in wrestling.

He was voted the Most Valuable Wrestler during his senior season and was selected to the All-St.

Louis Team.

He opted out of competing as an amateur and in August 2009, Chandler made his professional MMA debut with a first-round TKO victory over Kyle Swadley.

Chandler made his Strikeforce debut on November 20, 2009, at Strikeforce Challengers: Woodley vs. Bears where he fought Richard Bouphanouvong, He won the bout via technical knockout in the second round.

His next fight in the promotion took place on May 15, 2010, at Strikeforce: Heavy Artillery where he fought Sal Wood.

He won the bout via submission in under a minute.

Chandler made his Bellator debut on September 30, 2010, at Bellator 31, where he defeated Scott Stapp via technical knockout in the first round.

The match was contested at a catchweight for Chandler to test himself for the lightweight division, all his previous bouts being in the welterweight division.

In his next Bellator appearance, Chandler competed on the Bellator 32 card on October 14, 2010, against Chris Page in a welterweight contest.

He won the bout via submission in the first round.

In February 2011, it was announced that Chandler would be a part of the Bellator Season Four Lightweight Tournament.

In the opening round of the tournament, Chandler faced Marcin Held, at Bellator 36 on March 12, 2011.

He won the contest via technical submission after choking Held unconscious with an arm-triangle choke.

The win moved Chandler into the semi-finals.

Chandler then faced Lloyd Woodard at Bellator 40 and won via unanimous decision to move onto the finals of the tournament.

The tournament final took place at Bellator 44 where Chandler faced Patricky Pitbull.

He utilized his wrestling skills, repeatedly taking down Freire and controlling the fight.

He defeated Freire via unanimous decision to win $100,000 and a shot at the Bellator Lightweight World Championship.

Chandler was expected to compete against Eddie Alvarez for the Bellator Lightweight World Championship at Bellator 54 on October 15, 2011.

However, Alvarez suffered an undisclosed injury forcing the bout to be postponed.

The bout was then rescheduled to take place on November 19, 2011, at Bellator 58.

Chandler defeated Eddie Alvarez via submission in the fourth round.

In his first fight after winning the title, Chandler faced Akihiro Gono in a non-title superfight at Bellator 67 on May 4, 2012.

He won the match via technical knockout at just 56 seconds into the first round.

Chandler made the first defense of his title against Bellator Season Six Lightweight Tournament Winner Rick Hawn, on January 17, 2013, at Bellator 85.