Bellator dual champion Patricio Freire is happy for former foe Michael Chandler.

Freirie, the reigning Bellator lightweight and featherweight champ, has no hard feelings and is in no way disappointed that Chandler joined the UFC after spending a decade with Bellator. Chandler has plenty of history with Patricio (30-4 MMA, 18-4 BMMA) and his brother Patricky, as Chandler knocked out Patricky to win the vacant Bellator lightweight title and years later in 2019 Patricio avenged his brother’s loss by stopping Chandler to become a two-division champion.

Yet, despite the history and bad blood, Patricio is glad to see Chandler’s recent career move.

“It’s great for Chandler,” Patricio said through his interpreter and coach, Eric Albarracin. “He can beat all those guys. He’s a great fighter, and he has the right tools to beat all those guys over there (in the UFC).

“And to tell you the truth, that’s the only way to see who’s the best in the world in each weight class is to have cross-promotion fights, because then there’s no guessing who’s better or that you have to be in a certain organization to see who’s the best. I’m ready to show that I’m the best in MMA, not only in one promotion, and I’m willing to prove that at any moment.”

Chandler signed with the UFC in September and was immediately labeled as a replacement opponent for the UFC 254 title fight between champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and Justin Gaethje in October.

Although Chandler has yet to compete in the octagon, Freire thinks the UFC’s decision to immediately throw Chandler in the title mix validates what he’s been saying about Bellator fighters and their standing in the sport.

“That proves that the Bellator fighters are badass,” Patricio said. “We just had a guy leave, and he’s already ready to fight for the title, so that shows what we’ve known all along, that Bellator fighters are just as good if not better. It’s not about promotion; it’s about the fighters. That’s it.”