After an incredible exciting title-win over Eddie Alvarez this past November it looks like Bellator lightweight champ Michael Chandler will face another more-experienced veteran with time in Japan albeit not one many fans would have expected for the unbeaten grappler’s follow-up fight.

According to a press release from Bellator, Chandler will collide with Akihiro Gono on May 4 in Canada at Bellator 67.

Gono, who holds an overall record of 32-17, has not fought in America for more than three years after a 1-2 run in the UFC. Known for his colorful entrances and willingness to face all-comers, the 37-year old is coming off back-to-back decision defeats with the latter coming after a sixteen-month break from competition. Though his recent outings leave a lot to be desired Gono does hold past victories over some of MMA’s elite including Hector Lombard and Gegard Mousasi.

“I’m just excited to get back into the cage,” Chandler said of the match-up. “I fought four times in 2011 and I’m ready to get back to work. Gono has beaten some of the best fighters in the sport and this should be a good test for me.”

Bellator 67 will take place at the Rama Casino in Ontario. The card will also feature a bout between former MFC welterweight Ryan Ford and Luis Santos.

PHOTO CREDIT – STRIKEFORCE/UFC

The finish came with less than a minute left in the final round when Santiago put the “Grabaka Hitman” on the mat with a knee, then eventually took his back and rained down enough punches to merit a stoppage from Misaki’s corner. The win was Santiago’s eleventh in twelve fights since parting ways with the UFC in late 2006 and his second successful defense of the SRC Middleweight Championship.

SRC 14 also provided a night of disappointment for fans of Akihiro Gono. Gono, who had won three fights in a row prior to his bout against underdog Jadamba Narantungalag, was out-pointed and lost a unanimous decision. The win brought Narantungalag’s record to 3-2 and came after more than yearlong layoff from the sport.

A full list of results for SRC 14 can be found below:

Jae Hyun So def. Hirokazu Nisimura via Unanimous Decision
Wataru Takahashi def. Tatsuya So via Submission Round 2 (Rear-Naked Choke)
Shoko Sato def. Takuya Eizumi via TKO Round 2 (Doctor Stoppage)
Shintaro Ishiwatari def. Kil Woo Lee via Submission Round 1 (Guillotine Choke)
Takuya Sato def. Motoki Miyazawa via Unanimous Decision
Yasubey Enomoto def. Kenta Takagi via Submission Round 2 (Bulldog Choke)
Taisuke Okuno def. Nick Thompson via KO Round 3
Leonardo Santos def. Sotaro Yamada via DQ Round 1 (Knees to Groin)
Hatsu Hioki def. Jeff Lawson via Submission Round 1 (Triangle Choke)
Jadamba Narantungalag def. Akihiro Gono via Unanimous Decision
Jorge Santiago def. Kazuo Misaki via TKO Round 5 (Corner Stoppage)

It doesn’t look as though Gono will be out of work for long though. According to the latest print edition of The Wrestling Observer, Gono is currently in negotiations with the Japanese-based Sengoku promotion. If Gono does sign with Sengoku it would mark the first time since 2006 the Japanese MMA veteran has fought overseas.

Gono has fought all over Japan in his long illustrious career. Since his MMA debut in 1997 he has competed for the Shooto, Pancrase, and PRIDE promotions among many others. His signing with the UFC in 2007 was huge news for PRIDE fans as Gono became a fixture for the company following wins over Hector Lombard, Gegard Mousasi, and others.

If Gono signs with the promotion, he could be added to Sengoku 8 on May 22 at the National Yoyogi Stadium in Tokyo, Japan.

According to the UFC’s official website, Fitch’s bout vs. Gono is currently not one of the five fights guaranteed to make the January 31 PPV event. As of now, the guaranteed televised lineup for the show consists of UFC welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre defending his title vs. UFC lightweight champion B.J. Penn, Karo Parisyan taking on Dong Hyun Kim, Lyoto Machida vs. Thiago Silva, Nate Diaz vs. Clay Guida, and Stephan Bonnar vs. Jon Jones.

It should be noted that this development is based solely off the UFC’s official listing for the card on its website and the company has yet to make an official statement. It’s also possible that a change in the televised lineup could always be made at a later date.

Fitch was released in November after being caught in the crossfire of a dispute between UFC management and his trainers at the American Kickboxing Academy and management at Zinkin Entertainment. However, after a great deal of negative publicity directed at the UFC, the issue was resolved the next day after Fitch contacted UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta and successfully negotiated a return to the company’s roster.

If Fitch’s UFC 94 bout is not broadcast it will be interesting to see what his reaction will be. When he initially began his career in the UFC, his early bouts were not made available during the televised portion of UFC events, a situation that he was once very outspoken about.

Morgan was present while Fitch made the revelation as a panel member during this week’s taping of “Inside MMA” on HDNet.

The Fitch vs. Gono fight had come into question following Fitch’s release last month that results in his subsequent re-signing just 24 hours later. However, it’s been reported that amid the chaos, UFC Vice President of Talent Relations Joe Silva began to inquire about replacement opponents for Gono.

The fight vs. Gono will mark Fitch’s first bout since a unanimous decision UFC welterweight title loss against defending champion Georges St. Pierre at UFC 87 this past August.

In addition to Gono vs. Fitch, UFC 94 will be headlined by St. Pierre defending his title against current UFC lightweight champion B.J. Penn. Additional matchups include the return of Stephan Bonnar vs. light heavyweight prospect Jon Jones, Lyoto Machida vs. Thiago Silva, Christian Wellisch vs. Jake O’Brien, Manny Gamburyan vs. Thiago Tavares, and Dan Cramer vs. Matt Arroyo.

A rumored welterweight matchup between Karo Parisyan and Dong Hyun Kim could be added to the card as well.

Fitch would go on to defeat Wilson via unanimous decision but his UFC winning streak ended in his very next fight, a title shot against Georges St. Pierre. Fitch is currently 8-1 in the UFC and was undefeated in the Octagon prior to meeting St. Pierre. He holds victories over some of the best UFC welterweight competitors, including Diego Sanchez and current number one contender Thiago Alves.

Akihiro Gono holds a 1-1 record inside the UFC, winning a fight via armbar against Tamdan McCrory at UFC 78 and most recently dropping a split decision loss to Dan Hardy at UFC 89. The Japanese fighter is one of the most colorful fighters in all of MMA, known for his elaborate entrances and dance moves. But he also brings a wealth of experience to the cage, having fought in 49 fights and spanning all of the major Japanese promotions.

UFC 94 is also set to include a welterweight title clash between two of the best pound for pound fighters in the world in Georges St. Pierre and B.J. Penn as well as a number one contender fight at light heavyweight between Thiago Silva and Lyoto Machida.

Former Palace Fighting Championship featherweight titleholder Shawn Bias awoke from his coma Tuesday morning and was lucid enough to speak with family and friends, Sherdog.com has confirmed.

Also from the same report, one of Bias’ training partners, George Adkins, talked about the events that ultimately led to Bias’ hospitalization:

Citing police, eyewitness and medical personnel accounts, Adkins said Bias knocked on the door to the wrong party Saturday evening. Though Adkins said he didn’t know why, police were called to the scene. After finding his intended destination (another apartment in the complex) Bias purportedly went outside to apologize to officers who arrived on scene.

“Shawn allegedly took off running,” said Adkins, who acknowledged that he did not know of anyone who witnessed the incident from its inception. “They ended up getting him, and we don’t know exactly how or why he ended up being Tasered several times and struck several times.”

It’s great to hear that Bias’ condition seems to be getting better and we will keep you posted on any developments regarding this story.

The 22-year-old fighter suffered an apparent heart attack late Saturday night — just two days after losing his PFC title to Art Arciniega (Pictures) — and later lapsed into a coma around 1 a.m. Sunday morning. After being admitted to the hospital, Bias was also diagnosed with complete kidney failure and has since been placed on dialysis.

George Adkins (Pictures), a training partner and close friend of Bias, informed Sherdog.com of the situation, noting that Bias did not take very much damage in an unregulated fight Thursday night at the Tachi Palace in Lemoore, Calif.

Adkins also acknowledged that Bias, whom doctors diagnosed as having strep throat on Monday, refused to pull out of the scheduled bout despite suffering from pneumonia and an infected tooth.

Speaking for the staff of 5 Oz., our thoughts are with the friends and family of Bias. More on this story as more details surface.