Video: Michael Chandler, Benson Henderson sound off ahead of Bellator 243 rematch

Two of Bellator’s very best will go head to head in the main event of Bellator 243 on Aug. 7 and, just one week from fight night, Michael Chandler and Benson Henderson are all fired up and ready to go.

Three-time former Bellator lightweight champion Chandler (20-5 MMA, 17-5 BMMA) and former Bellator and UFC lightweight champ Henderson (28-8 MMA, 5-3 BMMA) are set to meet in an eagerly-anticipated rematch at the Mohegan Sun Arena next Friday night, and the pair checked in with play-by-play commentator Mike Goldberg to build the anticipation ahead of their pivotal lightweight fight.

The duo faced off at Bellator 165 in November 2016, when Chandler defeated Henderson via split decision to defend the promotion’s 155-pound strap in San Jose. As the result suggests, it was a super-close encounter, and now Henderson has the opportunity to avenge that defeat and put himself in pole position to challenge for the lightweight belt currently held by Brazil’s Patricio Freire.

Chandler, meanwhile, plans on claiming a second successive victory over “Smooth” to position himself for a rematch with Freire, who stopped him in May last year to win the lightweight title.

Based on their three-way video call with Goldberg, both men are primed and ready for another epic encounter, with Chandler insisting the result will go his way once again, while Henderson vowed to come out fast after “giving away” the first round to his opponent in their first meeting.

Bellator 243 takes place Friday, Aug. 7 at Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, Conn. The main card will air live on Paramount and DAZN following prelims on MMA Junkie.

Check out Chandler and Henderson’s split-screen interview with Goldberg via the video above.