Michael Chandler has a decision to make.
Chandler, a former Bellator lightweight champion, is a free agent. And he is going to have several suitors for his services.
Bellator MMA could make a run at bringing him back. The UFC is always in the market for high-level fighters. ONE Championship could throw some money towards Chandler in bringing him into the fold.
But the perfect fit for his services is the Professional Fighters League.
Think about this for a moment.
Chandler made his runs in Bellator through the tournament-format the promotion previously used to crown champions and top contenders. However, when Scott Coker came aboard, they shifted gears.
What is the bread-and-butter of the PFL? Season-long, tournament-style format that is unique to the promotion complete with a million-dollar prize for the winner.
Chandler also comes from Bellator where he was able to acquire sponsors and deals to promote. Since the UFC worked out a deal with Reebok, fighters have been limited to what they can promote and completely restricted with what they can wear into action.
The PFL does not follow the same guidelines, and they have some major sponsors already lined up that you can bet would jump at showcasing Chandler.
Chandler, a 34-year-old, is the perfect fighter to promote and work with. He was born in Missouri, wrestled for the University of Missouri and qualified for the NCAA Championships four times.
He currently resides in Tennessee and is extremely active on social media with over 28,000 tweets and 50,000 followers. The PFL recently made quite the statement in regard to what they do on social media.
His story is that of a hard worker grinding and rising through the ranks. You can bet the PFL Studios would love to work with him to bring out all of that for the public to see.
Chandler has already accomplished as much as he can in Bellator. It is time for him to find a new home and become an even better version of himself with the PFL.