A massive fight in the lightweight division between longtime MMA veteran and UFC lightweight Michael Chandler looked to hold off the ever surging Paddy Pimblett at UFC 314 on Saturday night.
Chandler (23-9) hoped to score a big win over Pimblett after losing two in a row against Charles Oliveira and Dustin Poirier respectively. The former Bellator champion made his move to the UFC in 2021, but has only managed a 2-4 record. That could have been better had he not been out of action while waiting for a fight with Conor McGregor that is yet to materialize.
Pimblett (22-3) remained undefeated in the UFC coming into UFC 314. The very popular Liverpool product brought the Paddy show to Miami. He holds victories over Jared Gordon, Tony Ferguson and King Green to name a few.
Round 1 Pimblett was quite a bit bigger than Chandler so after a short exchange, Chandler found an opening for a takedown and got it. Paddy began landing elbows on the had of Chandler who lifted him up, but couldn’t slam him back down.
Chandler landing knees to the legs with Pimblett trying to get his back on the fence to face him. Chandler tried to slam him, Pimblett jumped for a triangle instead, but couldn’t get it. Pimblett found his way to his feet right after.
Pimblett then became the hunter following Chandler around the cage and looking for big right hands and switch kicks.
Round 2 Chandler came out offensively for a bit, but then Pimblett took the hunter role once again and began landing on him. Chandler continued to give Pimblett a target and the Liverpool native took it until Chandler landed a low blow on Pimblett.
Once the action began again Chandler went back to looking for takedowns given the lack of success on the feet. He took Pimblett down, but couldn’t keep him down for long. Chandler took the back, but he was too high, Pimblett spun to face him and took top position.
Chandler blocked the knee slice into mount so Pimblett resorted to landing elbows to the head. Pimblett took the back, Chandler went to his back and began to eat some ground and pound. Round ended with Pimblett landing shots from back position.
Round 3 Pimblett came out aggressive landing a knee on Chandler that busted him wide open. Then he went in, got his own takedown, and took Chandler’s back. The rest of the fight was Chandler going from mount to back take and taking a ton of damage before the ref called the fight.
Ladies and gentlemen…Paddy Pimblett has arrived to the top.
Official Result: Paddy Pimblett def. Michael Chandler via R3 TKO, 3:07
