You can’t help but feel for Michael Chandler.
Bellator has a new lightweight world champion after their most loyal star, Michael Chandler, snapped his ankle at the promotion’s New York debut.
Chandler was dethroned by huge underdog Brent Primus in bizarre fashion in Madison Square Garden. The finish came during the opening round of the lightweight title fight when Chandler rolled over on his ankle and dropped to the mat in agony.
With the smell of blood circling around his nostrils, Primus lunged in for the kill, but Chandler showed remarkable heart to right himself and began firing back. However, every time he planted the hurt foot, he stumbled. Primus knew it was a problem and targeted the area, but Chandler soldiered on.
The last twist came as referee Todd Anderson decided to step in and have the doctor check the injury, despite Chandler’s willingness to continue the scrap. At that point the fight was called, Primus celebrated and the crowd inside Madison Square Garden booed.
Brent Primus is the new LW Champion!! ANOTHER HUGE UPSET! Looks like Michael Chandler's ankle broke. #BellatorNYC pic.twitter.com/E2o9xro32S
— Ahmar Khan (@AhmarSKhan) June 25, 2017
Clearly upset with the decision, Chandler made it clear that he wanted the fight to continue, but the NYSAC regulators were having none of it.Then, for good measure, a commission rep pulled Chandler’s stool out from him as he tried to sit back down.
To add insult to injury, one of the commission representatives pulled Chandler’s stool out from under him as he tried to sit back down from an animated protest. Of course, that meant he fell hoop-first to the canvas.
It was a finish that only Primus seemed to enjoy, but fortunately, he welcomed a rematch with the former champion. So hopefully once that ankle heals up, they two warriors will slug it out again.
They really were out here Charlie Browning Michael Chandler #BellatorNYC https://t.co/fE7KsqWnZ9
— Joshua Sánchez (@jnsanchez) June 25, 2017
