Michael Chandler honored just to have his fight compared to Dan Henderson vs. Shogun Rua
Posted on November 21, 2011, 02:13 PM by Joey Santosus"I don't care, (Henderson and Rua) are both great guys, great fighters. Its just great for the sport of MMA. The community that we have, they got the opportunity to see two great fights on one night.... It goes back and forth, this fight had more action, this fight was better, but it's great just to have my fight compared to a fight with Dan Henderson and Shogun Rua. I always want to be talked about like that, as a guy that goes out there and puts on a show. Maybe I am a little bit bias, and hoping that people like my fight better, but (Rua and Henderson) are both warriors and great guys for the sport." - For more from Michael Chandler's appearance on "The MMA Hour," visit MMAFighting.com
On Saturday night, the MMA community was treated to a great night of fights, highlighted by a five-round war between veterans Dan Henderson and "Shogun" Rua at UFC 139, and under the Bellator banner, a Lightweight title clash between Eddie Alvarez and Michael Chandler. Offset by approximately two hours, as the UFC's main card got underway, MTV2 viewers were watching an epic battle unfold, as Chandler defied odds to secure a title-clinching submission victory over the highly favored Alvarez. At that point, there were few arguments that the Bellator headliner had succeed in cementing its place as the leading candidate for 2011's fight of the year.
That was, until Henderson and Rua stepped inside the octagon in San Jose - and just as quickly as Alvarez vs. Chandler had gotten the nod for FOTY, it took just 25-minutes for the focus to shift to from the war the had transpired in Hollywood, Florida, to the one that had capped of UFC 139 in California. Though Chandler insists that he's honored just to have his fight compared to one contested between such legends, what do you think LowKick'ers? Is Chandler's upset victory over a consensus top-five Lightweight in Alvarez still in the race for fight of the year? Or did Hendo's ever-so-close decision win over Shogun usurp the coveted award?
Further Reading: Michael Chandler vs. Eddie Alvarez (Recap & Full Fight Video)
Photo: Bellator.com
Comments
Was a great fight to watch, Chandler is very strong for a LW, but I think he would get schooled by a few in the UFC, but then again I thought Alvarez would school him too which he did briefly but was sloppy defense for most of the fight by Alvarez which cost him in the end.
The Chandler fight was awesome! I don't know which was better imo, but they both had some great moments. I thought that Eddie was gonna put Chandler through the ringer myself; even after Eddie got dropped that frst time in round 1. I've seen him weather those storms before and come out on top.
Chandler has a bright future...he has sick wrestling and his hands looked great against Eddie...I wouldnt say that he could beat fighters like Gil, Bendo and Edgar but he could definitely hang with a lot of top 10 LW's in the UFC and I still hope we can see Eddie in the UFC someday he has the talent to be the best LW
Chandler showed big heart in the 3rd round especially to come back and win.
Bellator has a TON of great fighters that could make noise in the UFC. I'm glad Viacom is behind it now, they've done well in acquiring talent, especially with younger fighters.