Bellator boss: Jansen could do to champ Chandler what Chandler did to Alvarez

Bellator Chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney is itching for the organization’s first Summer Series event, but he’s recommending some caution to fight fans who are quick to dismiss the event’s championship headliner as a mismatch.

When Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler (11-0 MMA, 8-0 BFC) meets Dave Jansen (19-2 MMA, 6-0 BFC) in Bellator 96's main event on June 19 in Oklahoma, Rebney said we could easily see history repeat itself.

After all, few folks gave Chandler much a shot against then-champ Eddie Alvarez, a highly ranked 155-pounder, when they fought in late 2011.

“It’s funny because when Chandler was coming up to fight Alvarez, everybody was looking past Chandler and talking about the Eddie Alvarez fight I already had scheduled against (Shinya) Aoki, and I kept saying not to look past Chandler,” Rebney told MMAjunkie.com Radio (www.mmajunkie.com/radio). “Everybody was kind of laughing when I would say it. I was like, ‘This kid is the real deal. He can really fight. He has every facet of the game. Physically and emotionally, he’s a world-class talent.’

“And then, of course, we saw what happened with the Alvarez-Chandler fight. I’m saying the same thing about Dave Jansen. Dave Jansen is the real deal. He can fight at a world-class elite level.”

After a series of weekly events kicked off the year on Spike TV, Bellator has been dormant since April 4. However, Bellator 96 kicks off three monthly summer shows before the organization returns to weekly events in the fall. The first summer event features a solid lineup with the start of a four-man light-heavyweight tournament, which includes the likes of Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal and Renato “Babalu” Sobral, as well as the return of War Machine, who meets Blas Avena.

The focus, though, remains on the championship headliner, and perhaps more specifically, Chandler. The former University of Missouri wrestler is undefeated and currently ranked No. 3 in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie.com MMA lightweight rankings. The Fight of the Year-worthy win over Alvarez put him on the map, but Chandler has continued the dominance with stoppage wins over Gono and Rick Hawn. With Alvarez and Bellator tied up in a contract dispute, Chandler has emerged as its most notable lightweight and one of the organization’s most recognizable fighters.

Jansen, meanwhile, earned his shot at Chandler by winning a Season 7 tournament. In addition to Magomed Saadulaev, the former WEC fighter upset Ricardo Tirloni and Marcin Held during the tourney run. He’s now won six straight fights, and though perhaps best known for his submission game, he’s added some solid striking skills.

Rebney believes it’ll continue the tradition of compelling Bellator lightweight title fights.

“This kid is tough as nails,” Rebney said of Jansen. “He’s got really solid jiu-jitsu, good submission skills, his standup is just rock solid, and his wrestling is really good. There’s nothing missing from his arsenal.

“I’m so glad we’re kicking off this Summer Series with this type of fight. What a cool way to kick off the series.”

For the latest on Bellator 96, stay tuned to the MMA Rumors section of the site.

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