Paddy Pimblett has been one of the biggest stories in the UFC world in the last couple of years. Having an unbeaten UFC record [6-0], Pimblett is not just another mixed martial artist. And before fighting him at UFC 314, Michael Chandler should know that Paddy has trained under the ‘genius’ of Ian Dean. Often touted as the kingmaker of UK MMA, Dean also helped Conor McGregor and Molly McCann reach the top. Three years back when Paddy was making his UFC debut, Dean knew this boy from Liverpool would go miles. “Others might not have a brash character, but Paddy has amazing skillsets like Jack Shore,” Dean said in 2022. “I guess, sometimes you just know someone is a star by the way they carry themselves.” So when Chandler steps into the octagon at UFC 314, thinking he can use Paddy to bounce back from his painful November loss—he might just be in for a rude awakening.

With UFC 314 just a month away, the hype for Chandler vs Pimblett is not slowing down. After his brutal loss against Charles Oliveira, Chandler is ready to risk it all at UFC 314. “Is there risk involved fighting a guy outside the top 10? Absolutely,” Chandler said. “Is it a lot better to fight guys in the top 3? Of course… Somebody was going pay for the pain that I had in November. Unfortunately, I’ve got to take it out on Paddy Pimblett.” While some see this as a straightforward fight for Chandler, not everyone is convinced. With Dustin Poirier and a #9-ranked lightweight contender questioning the matchup, the stakes just got a whole lot higher.

“Even though he’s a bi–h, Chandler all day go heavy on the money.” Dustin Poirier said last week with his signature touch of animosity stemming from the duo’s UFC 281 clash while still backing the bombastic 155fer against Paddy Pimblett at UFC 314. The upcoming Miami pay-per-view isn’t just about the vacant featherweight title showdown between Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes—it’s also home to one of the most anticipated generational clashes in recent memory: Chandler vs. Pimblett!

With the fight world split down the middle, fans are torn. Some favor the Englishman for his youth and undefeated UFC record, while others lean toward Chandler, valuing his battle-tested experience. And when you break it down, ‘Iron’ certainly has the edge in that department. A former Bellator lightweight champion, Michael Chandler has been through the fire, facing some of the sport’s toughest competitors. Now, the question is whether that experience will be enough to stop Pimblett’s meteoric rise.

However, not everyone shares this perspective. Javier Mendez backed the Liverpool native while emphasizing, “You can’t count Paddy out based on what he’s done.” The AKA head honcho relied on Pimblett’s previous outings to support his argument. Similarly, # 9 155fer contender Beneil Dariush recently echoed this sentiment. While speaking to Submission Radio, Dariush backed Paddy Pimblett—not because of his age, but because of his hunger to succeed. He explained:

“I think it’s motivation. I think age actually has nothing to do with it—it’s more about motivation. Paddy wants to be champion, he’s training his butt off all the time, and he has that desire. You know, if you look at Michael Chandler’s last fight, it looked like he’s never wrestled before. This guy was, I believe, an All-American, right? He knows how to wrestle, yet he got taken down every single round by Charles Oliveira.”

Pimblett, a former Cage Warriors champion, has quickly risen through the ranks of the UFC lightweight division. While his competition hasn’t yet included many top-tier names, his impressive victories over Bobby Green, Tony Ferguson, and Jared Gordon have solidified his reputation as a future contender for the promotion.

On the other hand, Chandler is fresh off his loss against Charles Oliveira at UFC 309. Moreover, constant setbacks have jeopardized his position in the lightweight division. ‘The Baddy’ isn’t just focused on defeating Chandler—he’s aiming to take away Chandler’s coveted “Red Pa–y Night.” Let’s examine how this showdown could unfold!

Top Comment by gooycheese

Regardless if Chandler wins, he needs to be booted from UFC… This might actually be his 3rd win in UFC…....more

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Paddy Pimblett willing to face Conor McGregor after defeating Michael Chandler

Who wouldn’t jump at the chance to fight Conor McGregor? A showdown with him almost guarantees breaking live gate and PPV records. Regardless of whether a fighter is a fan of McGregor or not, the opportunity to face him is too lucrative to pass up. Michael Chandler, who has been waiting nearly two years for his shot, is no exception. Initially, the Missouri native claimed he had moved on from McGregor, but in a recent interview with Ariel Helwani, he reiterated his desire, saying, “His road back to the UFC goes through me.”

While Dana White has suggested Conor McGregor’s return might be in “fall 2025,” the exact timeline remains unclear. What Chandler may not realize, however, is that Paddy Pimblett is using him as a stepping stone toward even bigger opportunities—like facing the Irishman himself.

In a recent interview with Round Eight Boxing, Pimblett shared his thoughts about potentially facing McGregor after UFC 314. He said, “Sounds very tasty. A lot of people have said this to me already: ‘Beat Chandler, take the McGregor fight.’ Obviously, he’s the biggest star in the sport. He’s the biggest pay-per-view star. I’ll fight him in a main event, and we’ll get pay-per-view points.”

How do you feel about Paddy Pimblett vs. Michael Chandler? Do you think ‘The Baddy’ can handle the pressure and live up to the hype from his supporters? Is he ready to face Chandler, his toughest challenge to date? Share your thoughts below!