The main event of tonight’s Bellator 97 card in New Mexico will be for the Bellator lightweight title as Michael Chandler (11-0) defends the title against David Rickels (14-1).
Rickels secured this title shot after winning the season eight tournament earlier this year by defeating Saad Awad in the finals.
Initially, he was scheduled to wait for a title shot with season seven tournament winner Dave Jansen in line for the next title shot. However, Jansen suffered an injury and Rickels gets his opportunity at the title now.
During his time in Bellator, Rickels has won five of his six fights and two of those wins have come by TKO/KO. He recently told TheMMAReport.com that he hopes that Chandler will stand and trade with him but understands that the fight could end up on the ground.
This will be the second time that Chandler defends the lightweight title and his first title defense came earlier this year when he defeated Rick Hawn by submisssion in the second round. The victory over Hawn was his third straight victory by stoppage and two of those wins have come by rear-naked choke submission.
Chandler is an overwhelming favorite in this fight with the betting odds having him as a ten to one favorite. In the fight, Chandler has the advantage on the ground and has shown much improved striking since moving to Team Alliance in San Diego from Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas.
Look for Chandler to grant the wish of Rickels and stand and trade punches with him. Chandler has shown great ability in using his strikes to take the fight to the ground. If Rickels is able to pull the upset tonight, it will be him winning by knockout. If the fight goes to the ground, he must get back to his feet quickly and not allow Chandler to control the fight on the ground.
Expect a high tempo fight between these two lightweight and I expect that this fight will not go all five rounds and the winner will win by stoppage.