Michael Chandler (19-4) will meet Patricio Freire (28-4) in a champ vs. champ super fight at Bellator 221.
Michael Chandler vs. Patricio Freire champ-vs.-champ bout to headline Bellator 221 https://t.co/uyTvIHV0Rl pic.twitter.com/ii8encxEl7
— MMAjunkie (@MMAjunkie) February 15, 2019
The announcement was made yesterday by ESPN.
Bellator 221 is scheduled to take place on 11th of May in Rosemont, Illinois.
Chandler, a three-time lightweight Bellator champ, will give the ‘Pitbull’ a chance to win a title in the second division. Freire is a two-time featherweight champ who made his Bellator debut in 2010. He won 11 of his last 13 fights, while Chandler has won 7 of his previous 8 bouts.
Three years ago ‘Iron’ outclassed Freire’s older brother – Patricky with a first round KO.
WEIGH IN ALERT: @BellatorMMA Dynamite 2! Michael Chandler 154.7 V Patricky Freire 155 #mma #fightjunkie #bellator pic.twitter.com/mvE7kwXqqu
— Fight Junkie ® (@FightJunkieCom) June 24, 2016
The build-up to the fight was full of animosity between the American and the Brazilian and there is a good chance the bad blood is still running wide between Chandler and the Freire family.