Will Brooks vs. Michael Chandler (the First Fight)
In hindsight, the first bout between Chandler and Brooks at Bellator 120 would not be really considered an upset.
While Brooks has since shown the win is no fluke after he finished Chandler in a rematch, Chandler had asserted himself as one the top lightweights outside of the UFC prior to their first bout.
His only loss in his 13 fights before Bellator 120 was a split decision loss against Eddie Alvarez. Brooks also only had one loss – to Saad Awad – which he avenged, but Chandler was simply seen as being on a whole other level.
Brooks kept it competitive for most of the fight, however, and he has his raised after the judges called it a split decision in his favour.
It was a source of some controversy, given the close nature of the fight, but Brooks’s competitiveness and the win against the heavy favourite was truly unexpected by most fans.
