After many months out of the octagon and delays from Conor McGregor, Michael Chandler is set to face Paddy Pimblett at UFC 314.
UFC CEO Dana White took to Instagram to announce an upcoming bout between Michael Chandler and Paddy Pimblett. Both fighters have had their eyes on a lightweight matchup, and it has finally been confirmed that it will take place at the UFC 314. Although Chandler is eager to step into the cage, he admits he had his reservations when the fight was initially announced.
“In this sport, things move very fast,” Chandler said. “I was on vacation last week, got a call that said, ‘Hey, what do you think about fighting Paddy Pimblett in April?’ I said, ‘Well, Hunter (Campbell), April is only eight weeks away. I like to put down about four weeks of training before I go into an eight-week camp. Let me think about it.’
“Next day I flew to Vegas, sat down with him in his office, we talked through everything, and we made the decision: We’re fighting Paddy Pimblett, Miami, April 12th. Because an imperfect plan implemented now is better than a perfect plan implemented months from now. And in this sport, things move fast. There’s a lot of stuff going on with the division. We have a big summer for the lightweight division. And after the last fight, one of the most disappointing losses of my career, I wanted to get right back on the horse, get right back in the octagon.”
Although the fighter would have liked to battle McGregor, he is content with taking on the rising UFC star to prove his mettle. The fighter’s last outing took place in 2024, where he faced Charles Oliveira and was defeated by “Do Bronx”.
“I like the matchup, love the matchup actually,” Chandler said. “I respect Paddy. I think Paddy is a skilled fighter, I think he’s still got a bright future, but I think he’s going to run into a buzzsaw named Michael Chandler on April 12th. As always, I will be the most entertaining guy that steps inside the octagon that night. I will have everybody on their feet. I will have everybody on the edge of their seat.
“In typical Chandler fashion, we’re going in there with one goal in mind, and that’s to separate our opponent from consciousness.”
Pimblett, meanwhile, has remained unbeaten since his debut. The fighter recently submitted King Green via submission in 2024. The fighter has had an eight-fight winning streak, but his bout with Chandler will be his most significant since 2023.
