Michael Chandler (photo via Bellator)

By FCF Staff

Following Michael Chandler’s move from Bellator to the UFC, Scott Coker has nothing but good things to say about the promotion’s former lightweight champ.

Chander wrapped up his Bellator contract in August by stopping Benson Henderson in the opening round. Leading up to the fight, Chandler let it be known that he intended to test free agency, and he eventually signed with the UFC.

While discussing Chandler’s departure recently with MMA Junkie, the Bellator President Coker said this:

“I personally really think he’s an amazing human being and a great family man,” Coker said. “He’s got great values and is a real martial artist. He exemplifies everything I love seeing in an athlete and saw when he represented our brand. … It was, ‘OK, we’re going to rebuild this 155-pound division. He has some great opportunities. Let’s let him go.’ At the end of the day, we could have matched it, to be honest. But I just felt like his destiny lies elsewhere.

“He’s a guy I’m always going to support. I’m going to watch all of his fights. And what does it say about the quality of fighters in Bellator when a guy like Michael Chandler leaves and gets put right into the immediate title shot conversation? Right? It shows you how great these fighters are over here.”

The 34-year-old Chandler joined Bellator back in 2010 for what was at the time, his fourth pro bout.