The UFC’s lightweight class is the most stacked and shark-infested division in the entire sport. Laced with former champions at the moment, the top of the division is dominated by legendary veterans. But that may begin to change as #12 surging lightweight star Paddy Pimblett takes on the ever-exciting #7 Michael Chandler in the co-main event on UFC 314 on April 12. Fans, of course, are very excited to see the throw-everything-at-the-sink, bar brawler Chandler match up with the younger and hungrier elite grappler, Pimblett.
And for those that are not that excited, they should hear what ‘Iron’ and ‘Paddy The Baddy’ had to say in their joint interview on ESPN MMA. “I plan on coming to steal the show, man,” the American said of his intentions for the Pimblett clash. “And I’m excited to go out there, mix it up with Paddy. I think he’ll feel it right away in the first exchange, I am like no other guy that he has fought in his past. With that being said, I’m going to go out there to fight to get my hand raised.”
This was immediately followed by one of the interviewers asking the Liverpool native “What part of that [Chandler’s] style do you think plays into your favor in this fight?” To which the confident-to-the-point-of-cocky Englishman answered with a definitive “Everything.” Clearly, we hear you say, that’s not true. Pimblett is a pretty good grappler and can more than hold his own on the feet, but Chandler is undoubtedly the better striker. But Pimblett’s explanation for why he thinks so may convince you.
“Other people, who he’s fought. He’s not wrong! And he’s fought first-ballot Hall of Famers, you know what I mean? He’s fought Poirier, he’s fought Gaethje, he’s fought Charles. All like the best lightweight in the division for the past five years. But I think I’m going to make it look easier than they did, you know what I mean. They play into Mike’s style, they stand there and brawl with him,” the Englishman said.
“I think anywhere this fight goes I’m going to win. To be honest the only way I lose here is if I get hit with a big crazy wild shot on the chin, and as you all know, Scousers [people from Liverpool] don’t get knocked out. So there’s no way that’s happening,” he added.
MMA: UFC 309 – Oliveira vs Chandler Nov 16, 2024, New York, NY, USA Charles Oliveira red gloves fights Michael Chandler blue gloves in the lightweight bout during UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden. New York Madison Square Garden NY USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xBradxPennerx 20241116_tcs_ae5_212
Of course, all the guys Pimblett named like Charles Oliveira, Dustin Poirier, and Justin Gaethje are a stand-and-bang type of guys. Even ‘Do Bronx’, who is a grappler par excellence, engaged with Chandler in their UFC 309 rematch and nearly got stopped in the fifth round. The UFC 281 clash between Poirier and Chandler was a literal slugfest while Gaethje and Chandler fought for 15 minutes at UFC 268 in what was perhaps one of the best three-round contests ever. And again. A violent striking contest! Keep this in mind. All these bouts were striking heavy and largely contested on the feet! The way Chandler likes.
But Pimblett isn’t taking that risk against Chandler. The Englishman has vowed to keep the fight on the ground as much as possible. This is a pretty intelligent game plan for ‘Iron’, who desperately needs a win. In fact, taking this fight is a huge risk for the former Bellator champion’s part. But there are good and very noble reasons for the Missouri native to have done so.
Michael Chandler explains why he took a risky UFC 314 clash with Paddy Pimblett
When Michael Chandler came to the UFC in 2020, he was already one of Bellator’s greatest-ever champions. But in the UFC, ‘Iron’ promised, his only goal would be to have exciting fights. And the Missouri native has more than lived up to his promise. If there is one thing you can say for sure about a Michael Chandler fight! It is that it will be pretty entertaining and full of violence.
However, that has come at a cost! ‘Iron’ is 2-4 in the promotion, and is on a two-fight skid at the moment. This is why the American taking on #12 ranked Pimblett (who isn’t very highly rated by the fans) is such a risk for him. If Chandler loses, he will be out of the top 10. Moreover, he would be relegated to fight up-and-comers as a gatekeeper to the top level. This would make him significantly less money and garner him significantly fewer headlines than if he had continued to fight the top-ranked stars like Oliveira, Gaethje, and Poirier. So why is the former Bellator champ taking this risk? We’ll let the man himself explain.
“I think it’s part of the life cycle of a fighter, you know. You continue to fight the top competition at all times and continue to push yourself. But at some point, you’ve got to give a guy like Paddy an opportunity to prove either he is who he says he is or he is not. But I plan on April 12th to prove who I am! One of the best lightweights on the planet! And Scousers don’t get knocked out apparently, but they’ve never been hit by the likes of me. I’m really excited to test his chin, I’m excited to test his heart,” Chandler declared.
What do you think about Chandler and Pimblett’s take on their upcoming much-awaited UFC 314 clash?
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