Michael Chandler Says He’ll Retire Josh Thomson If They Fight

Michael Chandler spoke with MMAjunkie about his narrow decision win over Benson Henderson at Bellator 165, his next fight and more. Highlights are below:

On fans being unhappy with his decision win over Henderson: “I’ve got to take it upon myself to not let the emotions get to me. I said it at the press conference, I’m the type of guy who likes to take care of people, protect people and please people. So when I hear boos, immediately I think it’s because they didn’t like my performance. I am way too hard on myself. I am my biggest critic. There were things in that fight I wish I’d done better. I think, after going back and watching it, I could see how someone could see the fight going 3-2. I looked at it and thought I won rounds one through four, obviously the first round very dominantly. I left each round looking good. I’m happy with my performance and excited to keep on getting better.”

On his performance: “You guys have watched Benson Henderson just as much as I have. He is probably one of the hardest guys in the entire world to win a decision against, let alone win a dominant decision against. He keeps coming, his cardio is there, he paces himself really well. As you could see, I left no energy for the swim back to the boat, I left it all out there. He was jumping around, licking his gloves, acting like a crazy person and yelling. If he would have used a little more of that energy, maybe he could have squeaked out a couple more rounds. I’m happy with my performance. Forget you people who booed. San Jose crowd, I thought you were a little more educated than that.”

On his next fight against Josh Thomson: “Josh Thomson is talking about February. I’m like, ‘Why is he talking about fighting me in February?’ It’s because he wants to fight in San Jose. Forget you, Josh Thomson. You had your opportunity and fricking sissied out, pulled out of the fight, made me be away from my wife again for another eight weeks because you wanted to sit around and twiddle your thumbs and be afraid to fight me. Now he’s running his mouth. Man, the guy is going to get his block knocked off and he will get retired if he fights me. He’s so afraid of my right hand…The dude is going to get crushed. It’s not going to be in February and it’s not going to be in San Jose, because I said so.”