Fight week has officially arrived, and UFC 314 — the first pay-per-view of the month — is ready to electrify the Kaseya Center in Miami. At the top of the card, fans will witness the much-anticipated return of the featherweight GOAT, Alexander Volkanovski, as he takes on rising sensation Diego Lopes for the vacant 145-pound title. The matchup follows Ilia Topuria’s shocking decision to vacate the belt and test the waters at lightweight — a move that many believe was a major misstep owing to the frenzy at 155lbs and the top 7 contenders not having a booked contest next.

But while Volkanovski vs. Lopes headlines the night, it’s the co-main event that’s generating a lot of buzz! A high-stakes clash between former three-time Bellator champion Michael Chandler and verbose Liverpudlian Paddy Pimblett. On paper, the two couldn’t be more different. Chandler, nearing the twilight of his career at 38, is just 1-4 in his last five bouts. On the other hand, Pimblett, 30, is still riding the momentum of an unbeaten UFC run and represents the next generation of lightweight talent.

The bout has even reignited attention from Chandler’s UFC 303 scheduled opponent, Conor McGregor. The much-hyped Chandler vs. McGregor fight never came to fruition after the Irishman suffered what he called a “pinky toe” injury. But the former double champ recently took to Instagram and stirred the pot again, writing: “I am interested in the Chandler/Pimblett fight this weekend.” 

Soon after, McGregor’s longtime coach John Kavanagh added his own insight into the UFC 314 co-main. Breaking down Chandler’s explosive power — the same that earned him vicious knockouts over Dan Hooker and Tony Ferguson — Kavanagh shared his thoughts in a clip posted to X.

“Paddy has to be on his toes. However, Paddy has told us several times that ‘Scousers don’t get knocked out,’ so he’s feeling very confident in there. He will have a reach advantage. As long as he keeps his shots long, stays on his bike, and doesn’t get into trading wars, I think he has the edge in the striking.”

Kavanagh didn’t stop there. He offered a deeper look at the grappling side of things, pointing out that while Chandler has the upper hand in wrestling, this isn’t a one-dimensional contest.

“In a straight wrestling match, I imagine this would be very one-sided in Chandler’s favor. He certainly has the build for it and the technique. But this isn’t a straight wrestling match. It’s also not a straight jiu-jitsu match. So, in terms of MMA grappling — what can we expect? I think if Paddy puts a lot of effort into trying to take Michael down, he might actually burn himself out. So I don’t think he should do that. He could, however, look for back exposure. In the clinch, Paddy has a number of techniques he uses to get to the back while still on his feet.”

While Kavanagh’s insight is grounded in years of experience, it’s important to remember that Chandler’s power is devastating, despite his shorter reach. His experience in the cage is invaluable, and if Paddy Pimblett gets caught in his sights, it could be dangerous. UFC 314 is more than just a rivalry between the two — it’s a career-defining moment for Chandler. This fight could very well determine his future in the sport. Recently, a former UFC fighter issued a warning regarding the upcoming battle. Let’s dive into what was said.

Matt Brown issued a warning to Michael Chandler ahead of his UFC 314 showdown with Paddy Pimblett

At 34, Michael Chandler made a bold move, leaving Bellator after nearly a decade to join the UFC. His debut fight at UFC 257 against Dan Hooker was promising. But his career has since taken a steep downturn, with a disappointing 1-4 record in his last five Octagon outings. Things got even more complicated when Chandler spent his prime years chasing a high-paying fight with Conor McGregor. The matchup was nearly set for UFC 303, only for McGregor to pull out due to injury, leaving the fight in limbo.

Now, as Chandler nears 39, the stakes are even higher with his upcoming bout against Paddy Pimblett just days away. Former 170lbs contender and legend Matt Brown recently offered ‘Iron’ a reality check on ‘Fighter vs Writer,’ saying, “The nice thing for Michael Chandler is he’s got a lot of options. Win or lose this fight, he’s got a great brand, people love him. I think he’d be an amazing commentator or an analyst, a podcast-type guy. Something.

He added, “He’s really got a good voice for that kind of stuff. The potential for him is there, the brand is still there. [But] that’s why I’m bringing up podcasting and being an analyst or a commentator. Because it’s like if you lose to Paddy Pimblett, you better start thinking about what the next career is going to be or the next path.”

With Chandler’s career nearing its twilight, what are your thoughts on his upcoming fight with Paddy Pimblett? Could UFC 314 be his last chance for a major win and a potential career resurgence? Share your thoughts below.