Michael Chandler plans on bringing the Paddy Pimblett hype train to an emergency stop.
Earlier this week, UFC CEO Dana White announced that ‘Iron’ will be back in action on Saturday, April 12 when the promotion heads back to Miami for a loaded pay-per-view event inside the Kaseya Center. In the UFC 314 co-main event of the evening, Chandler will square off with ‘The Baddy’ in a five-round fight that could immediately thrust Pimblett into the lightweight contender’s circle.
However, Chandler has no intention of letting that happen.
Speaking with ESPN MMA following news of his next outing inside the Octagon, Chandler made it very clear that he is like no opponent Pimblett has ever faced before.
“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 said.
Michael Chandler predicts an early KO in his fight against Paddy Pimblett 👀
“It’s a bad matchup stylistically for [Paddy]… I’m gonna land a right hand or a left hook and put his lights out within the first couple rounds.”
🎥 @espnmma #UFC314pic.twitter.com/XoQZoHXEUx
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) February 21, 2025
Michael Chandler Lays Out His Game Plan Against ‘The Baddy’
So far, Pimblett is a perfect 6-0 under the UFC banner with his most notable victory coming against former interim lightweight titleholder Tony Ferguson. Of course, ‘El Cucuy’ was on a six-fight losing streak before facing the Liverpudlian at UFC 296.
Chandler will undoubtedly be Pimblett’s toughest test yet.
“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,” Chandler continued. “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.”
Watch the full interview below:
