Paddy Pimblett has made it clear that he’s here to prove himself as one of the best in the division. He is coming off an impressive win over King Green in front of a roaring home crowd last July. However, 30-year-old is ready to take on the toughest opponent of his career to date. At UFC 314 in Miami, Pimblett will step into the Octagon against former title challenger Michael Chandler. At 38, the veteran from Missouri brings years of high-level experience, making this a defining moment for Pimblett’s highly impressive career.
Chandler’s recent run inside the Octagon hasn’t been up to the mark of his level. But as MMA fans we all know what ‘Iron’ is capable of doing because of his explosive fighting style. The former Bellator champion is never short of confidence walking into most of his fights. However, this time he has found himself an opponent who is equally confident. Such is Pimblett’s confidence that he feels he will now become the torch bearer of the lightweight division as most of the stars are way past their prime.
His comments didn’t quite go well with the 38-year-old fighter. During a recent conversation with Tobin on his YouTube channel he said, “Yeah, I mean only he knows whether he is a lion or not. Is he young? Yes. But is he a lion? He definitely has not proven that yet.” However, he then went on to remind the young star that he might find it tough against the legends of the division. He further added, “But I got a sneaky suspicion he wouldn’t be able to hang with the dudes like me. The Poirier’s, the Gaethje’s, the Oliveira’s. These guys who you literally have to kill to get outside of the Octagon. You know it remains to be seen.”
MMA: UFC 274-Chandler vs Ferguson, May 7, 2022 Phoenix, Arizona, USA Michael Chandler during UFC 274 at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports, 07.05.2022 19:35:20, 18361640, Michael Chandler, MMA PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xMarkxJ.xRebilasx 18361640
With UFC 314 just around the corner, the buzz surrounding Chandler vs. Pimblett continues to build. Still reeling from his second loss to Charles Oliveira, Chandler is heading into this fight with nothing to lose and everything to prove. Come April 12, he’s ready to lay it all on the line in Miami. Just like most fights, fans and experts have started picking their favorites between the two. While some are rooting for Chandler, others feel it will be Pimblett. Now Beneil Dariush has also come up with his own prediction.
Beneil Dariush picks his favorite between Michael Chandler and Paddy Pimblett
As a former Bellator lightweight champion, Michael Chandler has been battle-tested against some of the sport’s elite. But with Paddy Pimblett’s rapid rise, the question remains—will Chandler’s experience be enough to halt the momentum of Liverpool’s surging star? Also in the sport of MMA, age does play a very vital role. Although Chandler is one of the hardest working fighters in the sport, facing a young fighter can definitely be a challenge. But is age really the problem?
While speaking to Submission Radio, Dariush picked Paddy Pimblett as the favorite. The biggest reason for him is not because of his age, but because of his hunger to succeed. He said, “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 has quickly risen through the ranks of the UFC lightweight division with his sheer hard work and determination. While his competition hasn’t yet included many top-tier names, his impressive victories have shown that he is indeed a real deal. But can he get past the challenge of Michael Chandler at UFC 314? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
The post “You Literally Have to K-ll” – Michael Chandler Gives Paddy Pimblett a Wake-Up Call on Undermining Top UFC Lightweights appeared first on EssentiallySports.
