According to UFC legend Matt Brown, Michael Chandler is under immense pressure at UFC 314. Facing Paddy Pimblett, who is ranked lower, this fight is crucial for Chandler to recover from his recent two losses.
Brown believes this fight is a “do-or-die” situation for Chandler due to his career trajectory in the UFC. Despite impressive performances and fight bonuses, Chandler`s overall UFC record is 2-4. At 38, a loss to a less established fighter like Pimblett could be very damaging.
Brown mentioned on The Fighter vs. The Writer podcast that while he dislikes using the term “do-or-die,” it accurately describes Chandler`s situation. Chandler himself has stated his goal is to win the title, not just to earn money.
Brown points out that Chandler lacks a truly significant win in the UFC, questioning the quality of his victory over Dan Hooker at the time. He argues that Tony Ferguson is not considered a high-caliber win either.
While Brown is unsure how much a win over Pimblett would elevate Chandler`s career, he is certain that a loss would be a major setback.
Chandler`s UFC losses have been against top-tier opponents – former champions Dustin Poirier, Justin Gaethje, and Charles Oliveira (twice). Pimblett, though promising, is not yet at the level of these fighters.
Brown emphasizes that Chandler must convincingly defeat Pimblett to maintain his championship aspirations. A loss at UFC 314 would likely remove him from title contention for the foreseeable future.
Brown states that losing to someone ranked as low as No. 15, regardless of whether it`s Pimblett, would be detrimental. He acknowledges Pimblett`s skills and improvement, despite past criticisms regarding his behavior and weight management.
Brown questions Chandler`s top 10 ranking, noting that it`s unusual to be ranked so high with a losing UFC record. However, he recognizes that this fight against Chandler is Pimblett`s biggest test to date.
Brown believes that if Pimblett defeats Chandler, it would significantly boost his career, potentially leading to a main event spot.
For Chandler, failing to defeat Pimblett could severely limit his path back to the top of the lightweight division, especially with rising contenders like Oliveira, Tsarukyan, and Topuria.
Brown suggests that a loss could force Chandler to reconsider his future in the sport and explore other opportunities outside the octagon.
Brown concludes that if Chandler loses to Pimblett, it signifies a failure to achieve his title ambitions, potentially leading him to consider alternative career paths like commentary, analysis, or podcasting, where his strong brand and communication skills would be valuable.
