FC Gym Stories: Michael Chandler Dives Into Deep Waters

FC Gym Stories: Michael Chandler Dives Into Deep Waters

By Tony ReidBellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler is one of the most inspirational figures in all of MMA.The two-time Bellator lightweight champion

Jul 26, 2016 by FloCombat Staff
FC Gym Stories: Michael Chandler Dives Into Deep Waters
By Tony Reid

Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler is one of the most inspirational figures in all of MMA.

The two-time Bellator lightweight champion delivered a knockout-of-the-year candidate by starching longtime foe Patricky Pitbull at Bellator 157: Dynamite 2. From multiple "Fight of the Year"-quality scraps with Eddie Alvarez and Will Brooks to the highlight-reel stoppages of David Rickels, Rick Hawn and Akihiro Gono, Chandler has established himself as one of the best in the world in the lightweight division, regardless of organization.

For the newest installment of FloCombat's Gym Stories series, he shares memories from his first trip to the west coast to Alliance MMA in Chula Vista, California.

The standout wrestler from the University of Missouri had his will tested early and often when he first started training with the high-level fighters at the elite gym.

"I didn't know anybody. I was training with a lot of tough guys who are well respected in my weight class," Chandler said. "Guys like Jeremy Stephens, Ross Pearson, Myles Jury; guys like that." 

When competing in one of the most grueling and demanding sports in the world, even elite fighters have bad days at the office.

"When I first moved, I found out there is no easy road at Alliance. I just came off the win against (Akihiro) Gono, and people were talking about me being one of the top prospects in the division. Just having all that going on during my first few sparring sessions, I was about ready to die. I never once thought about quitting or leaving Alliance or San Diego, but it really made me question whether I could do that every day.

"As much as you hate it, you love it. You know you have to be around guys that are going to push you. We are literally trying to take each other's heads off in practice, but afterwards, we are high-fiving and shaking hands and we are buddies outside training.

"I would say when I initially made that transition, my first couple weeks were rough. I came in out of shape, which was a bad idea and I got thrown right into the fire. Ross and Jeremy were in camp, in shape just weeks out from fights, and I came in out of shape and got thrown right into the fire."