MIAMI, FLORIDA – Paddy Pimblett showcased his dominance at UFC 314, extending his winning streak to nine consecutive victories. The lightweight fighter delivered a remarkable performance against Michael Chandler, ending the bout with a third-round stoppage in Miami on Saturday.
The fight kicked off with a relatively even first round, as Pimblett landed powerful leg kicks while Chandler managed to gain control for a brief period after executing a takedown. However, it was Pimblett who displayed sheer dominance in the following rounds. Former UFC champion Henry Cejudo even hailed Pimblett’s performance in the second round as the best of his career.
Pimblett continued to assert his dominance over Chandler in the third round, inflicting even more damage on his opponent. With a knee strike early in the round, Pimblett split open Chandler’s face, ultimately forcing the fight to come to an end.
Following his impressive win, Pimblett wasted no time in calling out some of the top contenders in the lightweight division. Expressing his desire for a shot at the world title, Pimblett specifically mentioned fighters like Dustin Poirier, Justin Gaethje, Charles Oliveira, and Arman Tsarukyan. Ultimately, he set his sights on Oliveira as his preferred opponent.
On the other hand, Chandler finds himself in a challenging position after another defeat. Despite entering the UFC with high expectations and securing a title shot early on, Chandler’s UFC record now stands at 2-5. With losses against top fighters in a competitive lightweight division, the former Bellator champion faces uncertainty regarding his future in the sport.
Pimblett’s victory at UFC 314 solidifies his position in the lightweight division and raises questions about his potential to contend for the title. As he continues to climb the rankings, observers are keen to see how Pimblett’s career will unfold in the highly competitive world of MMA.