Michael Chandler believes there are more questions than answers when it comes to Paddy Pimblett entering UFC 314.
UFC lightweight stars Michael Chandler and Paddy Pimblett will clash with title contention on the line in the UFC 314 co-main event.
Chandler and Pimblett, two UFC fan favorites, are looking to move a step closer to a potential lightweight title shot with an impressive performance at UFC 314. The five-round lightweight bout is expected to be a high-octane war featuring two of the division’s biggest standouts.
Since signing with the UFC in 2020, Chandler has fought the ‘who’s who’ at 155lbs. While Pimblett will arguably be the easiest on-paper matchup of his UFC tenure, Chandler enters UFC 314 with the experience necessary to deal with the big spotlight in Miami.
As for Pimblett, this will not only be a massive step up in competition but his first five-round booking since 2018.
Michael Chandler questions Paddy Pimblett’s ability to battle through ‘deep waters’
During a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Chandler said Pimblett’s conditioning will be tested at UFC 314.
“Paddy Pimblett will be tested more than he has his entire life,” Chandler said. “I think Paddy has faded. He was fading in the Tony Ferguson fight, and in the Jared Gordon fight, I just went 25 minutes with Charles Oliveira…it’s deep waters…
“So why not do it 25 minutes? If you saw you’re going to be a future champion, if you’re looked at [like that], you have to fight for 25 minutes. I’ve competed in 25-minute fights more times than he’s fought. I’m used to a 25-minute fight camp.”
Pimblett’s most recent five-round booking took place at Cage Warriors 96, a few years before signing with the UFC. He lost a unanimous decision to Soren Bak for the then-vacant CW lightweight championship, fading in the later rounds.
Meanwhile, Chandler has fought in five-round clashes many times during stints in Bellator and the UFC. His most recent bout against Charles Oliveira at UFC 309 was a five-round co-main event, in which he arguably outpaced Oliveira in Round 5.
Chandler is used to big spotlights and will look to test Pimblett’s conditioning at UFC 314.
- READ MORE: Aljamain Sterling and Diego Lopes clash on social media about UFC 314 featherweight title fight
Michael Chandler is staying busy as Conor McGregor’s comeback talks stall
Chandler’s booking against Pimblett is his second fight since ending his years-long wait for Conor McGregor to return to the Octagon. He and McGregor were supposed to headline UFC 303 last June before McGregor withdrew due to a toe injury.
McGregor’s tentative UFC return timeline is later this year, as most recently updated by UFC CEO Dana White. But McGregor has also been in talks with Logan Paul for a boxing match, a clash in which the UFC matchmakers shut down.
McGregor has two fights left on his current UFC deal. Almost four years since his last fight, it’s becoming more doubtful that he’ll fulfill the final two fights on his contract.
Meanwhile, Chandler is looking to get back in the win column after back-to-back losses to Dustin Poirier and Oliveira. Despite falling to 2-4 in his UFC tenure, White and the matchmakers assured fans that Chandler ‘isn’t going anywhere’.