Michael Chandler vs. Brent Primus title fight set for Bellator 180

One of Bellator’s top pound-for-pound fighters is coming to pay-per-view.

Michael Chandler will defend his lightweight title against Brent Primus at Bellator 180 on June 24 at New York’s Madison Square Garden, sources told MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani on Thursday. The event will air live on PPV.

Chandler (16-3) has won four straight and is coming off a successful title defense against former UFC champion Benson Henderson in November. The Missouri native won the belt for a second time in June 2016, via knockout over Patricky Freire. Chandler, 30, has been a cornerstone for Bellator and one of its most tenured athletes, going back to 2010.

Primus (7-0) is a perfect 5-0 in Bellator. The Oregon native is coming off a split decision win over Gleristone Santos in April 2016 and will be coming into this bout following a 14-month layoff. Primus, 31, also owns a win over Bellator welterweight contender Derek Anderson.

Bellator 180 is headlined by a grudge match between longtime rivals Chael Sonnen and Wanderlei Silva. In the co-main event, Fedor Emelianenko will make his Bellator debut against Matt Mitrione. The card is just the second on pay-per-view for Bellator and the promotion’s first-ever event in New York City.