For undefeated Bellator Lightweight World Champion Michael Chandler, Friday night was an opportunity to build off his epic fight of the year bout with Eddie Alvarez last season and solidify himself as one of the greatest lightweight fighters in the world. In order to do that, he had to take out 18-year MMA veteran, Akihiro Gono (32-18). Almost immediately, Chandler began to stalk Gono, forcing the Japanese fighter to back pedal. As he pushed forward, Chandler landed a brutal straight right hand that put Gono on the mat. Chandler quickly jumped on top of Gono and unleashed vicious strikes that forced the referee stoppage at 56 seconds into the first round.