The co-main event of UFC 314 is set to be one of the biggest fights of the year as two huge personalities collide at 155-pounds.
Paddy Pimblett vs Michael Chandler on April 12 in Miami is seen by some as a crossroads fight as two lightweights at very different points in their careers go head-to-head.
Pimblett believes that he won’t get the credit he deserves for beating Chandler because the former title challenger doesn’t have the most impressive record in the UFC because he’s been facing top opposition.
For Chandler, he wants to make a statement against a rising contender like Pimblett by stopping him in the first round to bounce back into the win column.
Though fight fans are eagerly anticipating the Octagon’s return to the Kaseya Center for this matchup, a man that has already faced ‘The Baddy’ is hoping to settle what he believes is unfinished business.
Jared Gordon says he hopes he gets the chance to step in and fight Paddy Pimblett at UFC 314
After producing three consecutive wins and finishes inside the Octagon, Paddy Pimblett’s stock was sky high heading into UFC 282 in December of 2022.
‘The Baddy’ came up against Jared Gordon as he looked to earn his third win of the year in his first PPV main card spotlight at the co-main event of the evening.
Following a competitive fight, Pimblett got his hand raised via a unanimous decision in what became one of the most heavily debated and discussed scorecards in recent times.
Gordon pushed for a rematch but the fight didn’t materialize with Pimblett going on to beat Tony Ferguson and King Green to earn a spot in the top 15 rankings.
After having an outing on February 15 fall through, ‘Flash’ recently revealed in a recent interview with Home of Fight that the UFC have told him that he will be back in April.
When asked whether that means he will get the chance to fight on the UFC 314 card in Miami, Gordon responded by referencing how he is hoping for one specific scenario to fall into place.
“I doubt it, unless my teammate Chandler falls off the card and I get my rematch with Paddy. I’ve been manifesting it. No offense to Mike, he’s my buddy but you know, that’s how opportunities come about and you have to seize the moment so of course, in my mind, I’m like I want it to happen.”
Gordon went on to say, whilst laughing, that he’s going to be supporting his Kill Cliff FC teammate but that hasn’t stopped him from crossing his fingers just in case Chandler can’t make it.
“I think it’s gonna be a great fight and I’m rooting for Mike, he’s my teammate but you know, I just want him to for some reason have an emergency and pull off the card and I’m right here. I’m walking around like 171, 172, I can make weight on four, five, three days notice. I’m ready bro.”
Jared Gordon believes that discipline is key for both Paddy Pimblett and Michael Chandler
Having fought Paddy Pimblett and spent time in the gym alongside Michael Chandler, Jared Gordon believes that it is a tough fight for both men based on the styles that they bring to the table.
‘Flash’ put the emphasis on which competitor is able to be the sharpest on fight night with their styles often being very aggressive.
Chandler spoke ahead of his UFC 309 return about being more calculated than in the past but he certainly reverted to type during his rematch with Charles Oliveira.
If he does the same at UFC 314, Gordon believes that it will play into the hands of ‘The Baddy’ who has proven himself to be a dangerous finisher.
“They’re both dangerous because they both go for it. Paddy does throw flying stuff, flying knees. Goes for it with his hands, throws high kicks, throws low kicks but Mike obviously is a savage and throws bombs too. When he’s patient, he can be very dangerous. If he falls into his old ways, I think that’s where Paddy can capitalize. I think they both have to be, I mean in every fight, but they both have to be very disciplined and really implement their game plan.”