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CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARADVERTISER.COM
Brent Primus (L) and “Iron Michael” Chandler pose at the Bellator MMA weigh-in at the Hilton Hawaiian Village on Thursday. Primus will fight Chandler in a rematch to defend his title at the Bellator 212 being held at the Neal S. Blaisdell arena on Friday.
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Michael Chandler offered a couple of words under his breath to the man who took his lightweight world title 18 months ago.
Tonight’s main event of Bellator 212 at Blaisdell Arena in a special free ‘Salute the Troops’ event features undefeated 155-pound champion Brent Primus against Chandler in a rematch of Primus’ upset victory in June 2017 to win the belt.
That fight was stopped by a doctor in the first round after Chandler appeared to have rolled his ankle. Primus insisted it was due to his leg strikes.
The undefeated champion called the fight “personal” on Wednesday and said he’d hit back if Chandler touched him at the weigh-ins.
Outside of those few words nobody else could hear, it was strictly professional.
“They say you win like a champion and lose like a champion, but he does not lose like a champion,” Primus said.
Chandler (17-4) owns wins over Eddie Alvarez and Benson Henderson in his career and has won his last two fights since losing to Primus, who hasn’t fought since due to a knee injury.
“A lot of times I have a ton of respect for the guys I step into the cage with, full-time fighters who pour themselves into this sport,” Chandler said. “That’s not the case in this fight.”
The fight will be broadcast on the Paramount Network (delayed in Hawaii) and simulcast on DAZN streaming service. Tickets were issued only to military troops and their family and friends.
