ESPN says that a fight between Michael Chandler and Patricio Freire could be in the works. If true, the match will take place at Bellator 221 on May 11th from Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois.
Chandler is the current Lightweight Champion while Freire is the current Featherweight Champion. Both fight under Bellator.
The two fighters have had issues for years. In fact, Chandler knocked out Freire’s brother, Patricky, for the lightweight title in 2016.
Although they exchange heated words on Twitter often, Michael Chandler and Patricio Freire have yet to spar in the Octagon. This is because they are titleholders in separate weight classes. Both have been defending their belts against others in their weight class.
Freire will probably move up in weight to challenge Michael Chandler for his lightweight title.
If Chandler vs. Freire happens at Bellator 221, it will be the second champion vs. champion fight at Bellator in less than a year. Last September, welterweight champ Rory MacDonald fought to claim Gegard Mousasi’s middleweight title. However MacDonald lost by TKO.
Both Michael Chandler and Patricio Freire fought against others late last year, too.
Back in June 2017, Chandler lost his lightweight title to Brent Primus at Bellator NYC. Since then Chandler has won three straight matches, including his rematch with Primus in December. Chandler was able to regain the lightweight championship in a one-sided decision.
Similarly, Freire fought in November to defend his featherweight title against Emmanuel Sanchez at Bellator 209. Freire, too, won his match by decision.
There has been speculation about other fights as well. Michael Page and Paul Daley are fighting this weekend. According to ESPN, the winner of this fight will probably match up against Douglas Lima in the welterweight grand prix semifinals at Bellator 221.
ESPN also believes that Bellator has also booked Pat Curran and A.J. McKee for a featherweight bout for Bellator 221.
Bellator will confirm its fights for Bellator 221 later this week.
