MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. – Bellator lightweight Brandon Girtz had prepared himself to fight later this year. Then his promoter came calling with a golden opportunity.

“They sent me that, and I had to flip back, because there’s no way I’m turning that down,” Girtz told MMAjunkie.

Two-time champ Michael Chandler (17-4 MMA, 14-4 BMMA) was out an opponent after his rival, current champ Brent Primus, had fallen out of Bellator 197. Girtz (15-7 MMA, 7-5 BMMA) was needed to step in and save the day.

Unlike Chandler, Girtz doesn’t go out of his way to criticize the champ. He knows the history between Chandler and Primus. It’s not nearly as personal a transaction as it is for them.

“It’s his injury and his life,” Girtz said of Primus. “When he does come back to fight whoever he does, probably me, I’m going to take that belt.”

Then there was the back-and-forth between Chandler and Patricio Freire, who was briefly linked as a replacement before Bellator decided it didn’t want the featherweight champ in the same division as his older brother, lightweight Patricky Freire.

“They’ve had their stuff for a while,” Girtz said. “It’s not completely unexpected, but it is a little annoying. I’m the one stepping out there, not those two.”

Girtz, who this past December snapped a two-fight skid with a first-round knockout of Luka Jelcic, will certainly try to throw another wrench into Bellator’s lightweight division with a win on Friday at The Family Arena in St. Charles, Mo. The fight headlines the Paramount-televised fight card.

“He’s supposed to be fighting for a title,” Girtz said of Chandler. “I believe after I take his soul, I’m in his spot now. I should be fighting for that title. With a definitive win here, you’re going to hear people call out for that.”

So far, Chandler’s track record in non-title competition is unblemished. The ex-champ and perennial contender tends to violently outclass opponents. But Girtz believes Chandler hasn’t met a fighter with his ferocity.

“I think it’s my grittiness,” Girtz said. “I can take one to give one. Sometimes I’ve seen Chandler, and he’s not one that likes to get hit. I’m not saying I like to get hit, but it doesn’t bother me.

“He doesn’t come with the same fury that I do. It’s there I’m going to try and keep moving forward, and I’m not sure he’s going to. He might try to wrestle after that.”

For more on Bellator 197, check out the MMA Rumors section of the site.