BellatorMMA Lightweight Champion
I always enjoy talking to Michael Chandler! He is always so gracious and kind. He is definitely appreciative of his fans and their support.
MMABeats: Do you feel that there is any added pressure being a title holder, as Bellator goes into the new Spike TV era, where the audience will be larger?
Michael Chandler: I don’t feel any extra pressure. I put enough pressure on myself to do well and win and the move to Spike TV isn’t any extra pressure. I train hard and surround myself with great training partners and do everything in my power to be the best me I can be and have a winner’s attitude.
MMABeats: A topic of debate recently has been a number of Bellator standouts leaving to go to the UFC. That said, I have to imagine it’s an exciting time to stick with Bellator and have the opportunity to be one of the faces of the promotion on SPIKE TV. You’re beginning to grace most top-ten lists and are featured heavily in the promotional material for Bellator’s move to Spike TV. It has to feel good that the company is putting so much stock behind you, but does it ever become difficult to handle that all at such a young age and in a short time frame?
Michael Chandler: It is a part of the job as a fighter to do all the promotional events and help entice people to watch the fights. I am thankful for my fans and appreciate the support. It is nice to be used to help promote BellatorMMA. I hope in the future to become the face of the brand. I am young, single, no attachments, and able to travel to do the public relations events. I told Bjorn Rebney thatI was willing to be used as much as possible to help promote the fights and the promotion.
MMABeats: How does knowing the audience, on SpikeTV, will be much later than on MTV2 make you feel ?
Michael Chandler: The move to Spike has the potential to reach over one million viewers where on MTV2 we might have a few hundred thousand viewers. This potential is very exciting to me. The exposure is HUGE for Bellator as well as the fighters.
MMABeats: What do you think of the title rematch with out having to go through the tournament process?
Michael Chandler: It is really cool. It is designexd to keep the title holders busy. At the end of the day the rematches are designed to keep the title holders busier. My goal is to keep belt and win with dominance.
MMABeats: How has the adjustment of moving from Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas to Alliance in San Diego been ?
Michael Chandler: It has been easy. All i have been doing is training, eating, sleeping, training and doing it all over again. Basically wash, rinse, repeat. In San Diego I have more high level training partners. It has been a really healthy move. I am able to travel and explore and do thingsI have never had the opportunity to do before.
MMABeats: You hold wins over two of the promotion’s top lightweights in Eddie Alvarez and Patricky “Pitbull”. How do you feel Rick Hawn ranks against them as an opponent?
Michael Chandler: Eddie Alvarez is a top five fighter and Patricky “Pitbull” is a top fifteen fighter. I continue to work hard to get better in every area of my fight game and prove to people, that I deserve to be fighting the best in the world.
MMABeats: What is on your Ipod ??
Michael Chandler: Eli Young Band, Jason Aldean, Young the Giant and Ben Rector. I am looking for my next walkout song and these are some of the bands I am considering a song to use for it.
MMABeats: What words of encouragement would you give to up and coming fighters ??
Michael Chandler: Do not train in MMA until after you finish your wrestling career. Wrestle in highschool and college. When you are wrestling you learn to compete on a higher level. When you are competing on a collegiate level you are wrestling some of the best athletes in the country. Competing on these levels teach you mental strength as well as a higher level of physical training. Wrestling gives you a leg up when you start your MMA training.
Michael’s next fight will be January 17th, 2013 on SpikeTV at 10:00 PM EST. His opponent will be Rick Hawn.
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