After talking up his value and calling for big fights, ex-lightweight champ Michael Chandler has signed a long-term contract extension with Bellator MMA. The Viacom-owned promotion announced the deal today, characterizing it as a “multi-year, multi-fight contract extension.” Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, though MMA fans will get an idea of Chandler’s (14-3 MMA, 11-3 BMMA) minimum salary when show and win purses are reported by state athletic commissions. “Michael Chandler is synonymous with our brand and doubles as an incredibly talented and exciting mixed martial artist,” Bellator President Scott Coker stated in a press release. “Not every fighter or free agent aligns with our future plans, but when looking at Chandler’s resume, inking him to a long-term extension was a no-brainer.” Coker’s comment comes amid a flurry of free agents hitting the MMA market, one of which was signed to the division in which Chandler fights. Ex-UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson inked a deal with Bellator and will vie for the welterweight title against champ Andrey Koreshkov in the main event of Bellator 153. Chandler, 29, called for a fight with Henderson or another recent high-profile signee, ex-Strikeforce lightweight champion Josh Thomson.
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Ex-champ Michael Chandler signs long-term extension with Bellator – MMA Junkie