Chandler to face Yamauchi at Bellator 192

Michael Chandler's designs on reclaiming the title he unceremoniously lost this summer will have to wait.

After a freak injury cost him the Bellator lightweight strap - which now belongs to Brent Primus - this past June, the 31-year-old is getting back in the saddle against Goiti Yamauchi at Bellator 192 on Jan. 20 at The Forum in Inglewood, Calif. Chandler announced the booking on Instagram following a Friday report from MMA Fighting's Ariel Helwani.

Chandler had mounted a four-fight win streak and defended the lightweight title in a five-round battle with Benson Henderson prior to seeing his second reign end in surreal fashion due to an ankle injury sustained in his bout with Primus at Bellator NYC.

Yamauchi, 24, gets the stiffest test of his career less than a month after re-upping with Bellator on a long-term deal. The submission artist has won eight of 10 promotional bouts and three straight by first-round tapout since moving up to 155 pounds last October. He most recently handed Adam Piccolotti his first career loss with a rear-naked choke at Bellator 183 in September.

The promotion's first show of 2018 will see Douglas Lima defend his welterweight title against UFC import Rory MacDonald in the main event. According to Helwani, a heavyweight matchup between Quinton Jackson and Chael Sonnen is also being discussed as part of an eight-man tourney that will crown a new divisional champion.