Paddy Pimblett faced his toughest test yet in the UFC 314 co-main event, squaring off with former Bellator MMA champion ‘Iron’ Michael Chandler in a five-round clash.
‘The Baddy’ walked into his first appearance of 2025 riding a six-fight unbeaten streak inside the Octagon and an opportunity to climb into the lightweight top 10 for the first time with a win over one of the most exciting fighters in 155-pound history.
Round 1
Pimblett opens things up with a trio of leg kicks. Pimblett goes to the body with a kick. Chandler ducks in and looks to land an overhand right, but misses the mark. Pimblett throws an uppercut, and Chandler counters. Chandler moves in and gets a takedown despite Pimblett grabbing the fence. Chandler immediately takes Pimblett’s back. Pimblett throws a couple of elbows that catch Chandler on the side of the head. Pimblett tries to defend with a kimura. That allows Pimblett to get back to his feet as Chandler clinches up against the fence.
Pimblett attempted to jump for a triangle choke, but Chandler defended. Still, it allowed Pimblett to get back to his feet and separate with 90 seconds to go. Pimblett lands with a right hand. Pimblett is mixing up his striking, throwing kicks and combinations. Pimblett partially lands a right hand. Chandler throws a big left hook followed by a jab that gets through.
Pimblett throws a flying knee that sends Chandler retreating just before the first-round horn sounds.
Round 2
Chandler and Pimblett come out swinging early. Pimblett lands a jab to the face followed by another to the body. Pimblett lands a counter left and continues to punish Chandler’s lead leg. Pimblett lands another nice combination. Chandler throws a kick up the middle, but makes direct contact with Pimblett’s cup, leading to a brief stoppage. Fortunately, Pimbett was ready after just a few moments. Chandler immediately tries to wrestle at the restart, but Pimblett fends off the takedown attempt.
Chandler shoots in again and muscles ‘The Baddy’ down to the mat with a slam. Pimblett gets upright, but Chandler slams him down again and gets his back. Chandler is too high up, allowing Pimblett to get on top and fish for an arm triangle near the fence. Pimblett attempts to turn Chandler clockwise and away from the cage wall, but Chandler is defending well. Pimblett transitions to Chandler’s back with a minute to go in the round.
Pimblett drops some big elbows. Chandler rolls, giving up full mount. Pimblett unleashes a flurry of strikes, prompting Chandler to roll to his back and defend a rear-naked choke attempt from Pimblett. Chandler makes it out of the round, he’s likely down on the scorecards.
Round 3
Pimblett caught Chandler with an early knee up the middle, busting the former Bellator champ’s left cheek wide open. Seconds later, Pimblett secured a takedown against the fence and immediately took Chandler’s back. Chandler is gushing blood and in pure survival mode with more than half a round left. Pimblett caught Chandler with a big left hand and looked to drop some elbows from the top.
Pimblett gets into mount and unloads. Chandler is moving and scrambling, but it’s not enough, and the referee steps in, bringing a stop to the bout.
Official Result: Paddy Pimblett def. Michael Chandler via TKO (ground and pound) at 3:07 of Round 3
Check Out Highlights From Michael Chandler vs. Paddy Pimblett at UFC 314:
PADDY PIMBLETT’S WALKOUT AT #UFC314 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/9C0ChM4EBA
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 13, 2025
A HUGE KNEE TO START ROUND 3! 🤯
Paddy Pimblett | #UFC314 pic.twitter.com/aNHVE6U4l0
— UFC (@ufc) April 13, 2025
PADDY PIMBLETT STOPS MICHAEL CHANDLER IN THE THIRD ROUND!!!!!!!
AMAZING PERFORMANCE 🔥🔥 #UFC314 pic.twitter.com/ekYn72cuWT
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) April 13, 2025
“WHAT NOW?” 🗣️
PADDY PIMBLETT WITH A STATEMENT VICTORY OVER MICHAEL CHANDLER 😳 #UFC314 pic.twitter.com/vJZpzRPrzm
— ESPN (@espn) April 13, 2025
“WHAT NOW?” 🗣️
PADDY PIMBLETT WITH A STATEMENT VICTORY OVER MICHAEL CHANDLER 😳 #UFC314 pic.twitter.com/vJZpzRPrzm
— ESPN (@espn) April 13, 2025
