Paddy Pimblett emphatically announced his presence in the UFC 314 co-main event by dominating Michael Chandler and securing a third-round TKO, marking the most significant win of his career to date.
Despite a couple of takedowns from Chandler, the fight was largely controlled by Pimblett. He impressed with his striking and completely took command once the fight went to the ground. After reversing a position to gain top control over Chandler, Pimblett initially attempted a submission but then relentlessly attacked the former title contender with punches and elbows.
Pimblett transitioned to mount, unleashing a barrage of strikes that forced Chandler to cover up, prompting the referee to halt the fight at 3:07 of the third round. Following the stoppage, a visibly bloodied Chandler exited the cage, while Pimblett celebrated his continued undefeated streak in the UFC and a major step forward in the lightweight division.
“That’s how we achieve victory,” Pimblett declared post-fight. “We strategize, utilize our fight IQ, and overpower our opponents. Any further questions?”
Already recognized as a prominent figure in the UFC, Pimblett is now seeking a fight that will propel him towards a title shot, setting his sights on some of the lightweight division`s elite.
“I want anyone in the top four or five. My goal is the world title,” Pimblett stated. “I’m targeting Dustin Poirier, Justin Gaethje, Charles Oliveira, or Arman Tsarukyan. I respect Dustin, Justin, and Charles – Charles is arguably the greatest legend among them and considered the UFC’s best submission expert, a claim I challenge. I’m here. So, it’s me versus Charles, and forget Arman.”
Pimblett largely dictated the fight from the outset, although early leg kicks from Chandler led to a takedown as he attempted to control Pimblett against the cage. However, Chandler struggled to generate significant offense from this position.
It wasn’t until Pimblett held a kimura grip for too long that Chandler landed some powerful punches as they returned to their feet.
From that point, Pimblett showcased effective striking at range, landing single or double punches as Chandler circled away. Pimblett then launched a dynamic jumping attack, exciting the crowd, but Chandler responded with a smile just before the first round concluded.
In the second round, Pimblett occupied the center of the octagon, persistently pursuing Chandler while landing more impactful leg kicks and accurate straight punches to the chin. This led to another Chandler takedown, but Pimblett quickly shrugged him off and gained top position.
Pimblett immediately transitioned to side control and then mount, raining down punches and elbows on Chandler. Moments later, Pimblett secured back control with a body triangle, continuing his striking assault until the round ended.
At the start of the third round, Pimblett unleashed a spectacular jumping knee that connected with Chandler’s cheek, causing a significant cut. Pimblett followed up with a powerful takedown, taking Chandler’s back against the cage and landing strikes to potentially set up submissions.
Pimblett maintained his offensive pressure, transitioning to mount and unleashing a relentless barrage of punches and elbows, forcing Chandler to turn away to avoid further damage. This prompted the referee to intervene and stop the fight, protecting Chandler from additional harm.
It is highly likely that this victory will secure Pimblett a fight against one of the opponents he mentioned, especially as the UFC looks to potentially establish a new title contender in the near future. For Chandler, this marks a disappointing 2-5 record in the UFC and a third consecutive loss, leaving his future trajectory uncertain.
