At UFC 314 in Miami on April 12, Michael Chandler and Paddy Pimblett will clash in a huge lightweight fight.
Earlier this week, UFC boss, Dana White made a huge announcement regarding UFC 314, revealing that Alexander Volkanovski will take on Diego Lopes in the main event for the vacant featherweight title.
Along with that, White announced that Michael Chandler will return to the Octagon to take on soaring contender, Paddy Pimblett, in a five round co-main event in Miami.
This is a fight that has seemingly been brewing for a while now, as Chandler has previously called Pimblett out with now being the perfect time.
‘Iron’ Mike is coming off the back of a disappointing loss to Charles Oliveira at UFC 309 after being dominated for five rounds, whereas ‘The Baddy’ is coming off a career best performance against Bobby Green.
Michael Chandler predicts an early finish against Paddy Pimblett
Now is seemingly the perfect time for the promotion to pit these two 155lb fighters against each other, as a win for the Brit would arguably put him into title contention.
Having said that, the 38-year-old American believes he is on a completely different level to the fighters Pimblett has fought so far during his UFC tenure.
“I believe I’m gonna put pressure on him, I believe he will know right away within the first exchange that he is not stepping into the Octagon with Bobby Green, with Tony Ferguson, it’s just a different level and I still believe where I’m at, it’s a bad matchup stylistically for him,” Chandler told ESPN MMA.
And with that, Chandler has predicted that he will knock Pimblett out within the first few rounds of their five round co-main event, predicting the exact strike that will put ‘The Baddy’ to sleep.
“That first time that he gets hit by one of the toughest punchers in the UFC lightweight division, which he has not faced yet, it’s gonna be a different feeling, it’s gonna be a different speed, it’s gonna be a ferocity that he hasn’t felt before.
“I do believe he’s got some momentum right now but the Paddy train stops in Miami and he’s gonna have to go back to the drawing board… I plan on landing some big punches and finishing him early.
“He’s gonna try and stay away from me and I’m gonna slowly and methodically and surgically walk him down… He’s gonna be on his back foot, his back is gonna be close to the cage and I’m gonna land a right hand or left hook and put his lights out within the first couple of rounds,” Chandler predicted.
Pimblett is being backed to beat Chandler by fellow British star
Despite Chandler being confident of shutting the Scousers lights out within the first few rounds, Pimblett is being backed to pick up the win by fellow British star, Michael ‘Venom’ Page.
“Chandler is one of the most talented in terms of skill for skill across the board, so it’s a very big jump for Paddy, but it’s a winnable fight if Chandler is reckless,” Page told Poker Scout.
“If Chandler continues to try to be entertaining and be reckless, it’s a winnable fight, but I think he’s going to be way more powerful. But again, if he’s reckless, Paddy can definitely take the fight off him,” MVP continued.
Since joining the UFC, Chandler has garnered the reputation of being all action and relatively reckless with his style. Pimblett on the other hand has received a lot of criticism for his striking defense throughout his tenure.