Scott Coker Expects Michael Chandler to Defend His Title Before the End of 2016

Speaking at the post-fight press conference for Bellator 157 (via MMAjunkie), new Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandlers discussed his title victory. Bellator MMA President Scott Coker also commented on Chandler likely defending the title before the end of the year. Below are some highlights.

Chandler on how the fight went: “You never know how fights are going to go, (but) you can’t really think of a better situation than going out there and getting a first-round knockout.”

Coker on what’s next for Chandler: “I’m going to let him enjoy the championship belt. It was an amazing knockout – it was probably one of the cleanest knockouts I’ve seen in a long time. We’ll go back to the drawing board with all the guys in San Jose (Calif.) and we’ll put something togehter. But before the end of the year, we’ll have a title fight for him. That’s kind of what the time frame is. Who that will be, we’re not really sure. But there are a couple guys in the mix.”

Chandler on speaking to Patricio Freire after the fight: “It was interesting. I commend him for getting emotional for his brother. … He just came up and in his Brazilian accent said, ‘I want to fight you.’ And I said ‘YOU want to fight ME?’ And then I said something I shouldn’t have and made a gesture I shouldn’t have, but at the end of the day, you just got done knocking somebody out, you’ve got adrenaline coarsing through your veins. Things happen. But that fight won’t happen … I’m not interested in that fight.”