Paddy Pimblett is making it clear—he’s not interested in taking the easy route. Fresh off a submission victory over King Green in front of his home crowd last July, Liverpool’s favorite son is now preparing for his biggest challenge yet. On April 12, at UFC 314 in Miami, the bombastic Englishman will step into the Octagon against former title challenger Michael Chandler. Despite Pimblett’s undefeated UFC record, oddsmakers favor Chandler, the battle-tested No. 7-ranked lightweight. At 38, the Missouri native brings a wealth of experience, making this a defining moment in Pimblett’s UFC journey.

And it is safe to say that the former three-time Bellator champ isn’t ready to let his career fade just yet. A formidable and ferocious challenge blood in the form of Pimblett can be the perfect litmus test for the veteran 155fer. But what do industry experts think? Can ‘Iron’ snap his three-fight losing streak by handing the Englishman his first setback inside the Octagon? One thing is for sure! Whenever Chandler shows up, the world watches and hell freezes over!

This is the reason that Team Khabib’s coach Javier Mendez sees Chandler more as a “great promoter” than a fighter. However, this doesn’t guarantee to be replicated in the winning column as well. In a recent podcast episode, Mendez gave Chandler his flowers while underlining his belief in the Englishman for his upcoming war.

He stated, “[Michael Chandler] knows how to hype up a fight, and that’s an interesting fight. You can’t count Paddy out based on what he’s done. Look at his past fights, where people, including me, counted him out—and he proved us all wrong. I’ve always enjoyed watching him. He didn’t prove me wrong in terms of entertainment, but I didn’t know if he was going to do better than I thought.”

And Mendez isn’t wrong. After all, the 30-year-old Paddy Pimblett is a former Cage Warriors champion. Moreover, he has made his mark in the toughest MMA organization in the world! The Englishman has remained undefeated with wins over notable opponents like Tony Ferguson, Jared Gordon, and Jordan Leavitt. Now, with a veteran like Chandler set to be his next challenge, Pimblett’s path to a title shot appears more achievable than ever.

But what about the former champ? “I’m not waiting until June or July to fight… It will be the craziest four-fight run in a 12-month period that anyone has ever seen,” Chandler declared last year, outlining his plans for the upcoming year. Now, as he enters the twilight of his career, Chandler’s future mirrors that of Israel Adesanya and Henry Cejudo. Like them, the American is on a three-fight losing streak. His most recent loss came against Charles Oliveira in their rematch at UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden.

However, it’s not just the recent losses that have hurt Chandler’s career. A major factor has been the two-year wait for a fight with Conor McGregor, which many believe has derailed ‘Iron’s momentum. The Irishman, who ultimately became a major source of frustration for the Missouri native, kept him sidelined far longer than expected.

While Michael Chandler may not be the same fighter he was during his Bellator days, he continues to be a major draw due to his ability to generate excitement. This talent has kept him at the forefront for UFC matchmakers and Dana White when seeking high-profile fights.  promotion. And it seems that Chandler isn’t ready to let this chance slip!

Will Michael Chandler solve the puzzle of Paddy Pimblett?

“Even though he’s a b-tch, [Michael] Chandler all day, go heavy on the money,” Dustin Poirier recently wrote on X, expressing his thoughts on the upcoming UFC 314 showdown between ‘Iron’ and Pimblett. Despite the long-standing tension between Chandler and Poirier, the latter seems to be backing the Missouri native in this fight. So, what’s behind this unexpected support? It’s Chandler’s vast experience.

Throughout his decade-long MMA career, Chandler has faced elite competition. This includes Bellator champions Eddie Alvarez and Patricio Pitbull. Moreover, this list also has UFC mainstays like Dan Hooker, Charles Oliveira, and Justin Gaethje. And this is a level of competition that Poirier himself recognizes. This track record of high-caliber opponents likely plays a significant role in the Diamond’s support for Chandler.

Furthermore, Chandler himself does not that he will be the toughest challenge Pimblett has faced. In an interview with ESPN MMA, ‘Iron’ confidently said, “I believe I’m going to put pressure on him. I believe he will know right away within the first exchange that he’s not stepping into the Octagon with Bobby Green or Tony Ferguson… with some of the guys he’s fought. It’s just a different level. I still believe, where I’m at, it’s a bad matchup stylistically for him.”

What do you think of Javier Mendez’s comments? Can Paddy Pimblett maintain his undefeated UFC streak against the more seasoned Michael Chandler? Or do you anticipate something else unfolding? Share your thoughts below.