Michael Chandler is ready to make up for lost time.
After waiting patiently throughout the Conor McGregor saga — perhaps too patiently — Chandler returned to action against Charles Oliveira in November at UFC 309, coming up short against “Do Bronx” for the second time and losing a unanimous decision. It was Chandler’s first fight in two years after McGregor reneged on their planned bout, and he’s wasting no time getting back to work. He’ll take on rising lightweight star Paddy Pimblett in UFC 314’s co-main event on April 12 in Miami.
“It’s a big fight,” Chandler said Monday on “The Ariel Helwani Show,” revealing the five-round affair was actually booked two weeks ago despite being announced this past Wednesday. “No matter which way you look at it, man, it’s a big fight, and it’s the life cycle of a fighter.
“I will tip my hat to Dustin Poirier — he fought Benoit Saint Denis when not very many people knew him, right? Justin Gaethje fought Rafael Fiziev. I see it often on the social media webs, everybody’s like, ‘Man, you’re fighting everybody in the top three, top two, top five. You need to go fight a young, hungry up-and-comer.’ Well, here you go, boys and girls. Here’s my opportunity, here’s his opportunity. This is Paddy’s opportunity to get inside the top 10. This is my opportunity to show you that there are different levels to this sport.”
Chandler instantly serves as the toughest test of Pimblett’s 25-fight career — and he doesn’t believe it’s even debatable.
Pimblett enters the bout fresh off his two most notable wins, a unanimous decision over Tony Ferguson and a first-round guillotine submission of King Green. Pimblett’s latest victory extended his UFC win streak to six and earned him a spot at No. 12 in the promotion’s official lightweight rankings. Depending on his performance, a win over the No. 7-ranked Chandler could launch him as high as the top five.
But Chandler is confident that these are the types of matchups in which he thrives.
“You can talk about my record, you can talk about losses, you can talk about how it’s all went down, my run in the UFC thus far, but I have done nothing but fight first ballot Hall of Famers, former champions,” Chandler said. “Every single loss that I have has been to one of those guys. And when I don’t fight one of those guys — knock out, Dan Hooker, in two and a half minutes. That brutal KO of Tony Ferguson, which was KO of the year. Something spectacular happens when my back is up against the wall or I’m fighting a guy that’s not named Dustin Poirier, Justin Gaethje or Charles Olivera. So we’ll see what happens.”
Pimblett, 30, entered the UFC to plenty of fanfare after capturing two titles in the UK’s Cage Warriors promotion. Between his outspoken nature and irrepressible self-confidence, Pimblett quickly became an easy target among his UFC peers.
Chandler, 38, believes Pimblett will benefit from the stiff jump in competition for UFC 314, regardless of the outcome.
“I think he’s gotten a lot of undue criticism because when you’re a big personality, you talk a certain way, you talk a little bit of trash,” Chandler said. “Obviously he’s had some run-ins with Ilia Topuria and some of these other guys where he’s gotten these little animosities going on. The fans will either love that or they will hate that. They will either say, ‘Hey, you’re propped up way too much,’ or they’ll say, ‘Hey, I love Paddy Pimblett.’
“You see it with a lot of guys — Bo Nickal is a great example right now. Guys, when they get into the UFC and they’re fighting the toughest competition, and they’re fighting these big fights on these big stages in these big arenas, there’s a certain learning curve that they need. I was very fortunate. I did all my learning curve back at Bellator, had to come into the UFC as a 32-year-old salty veteran and wanted a top-five guy right away. That was the path that I wanted. I told [UFC CBO] Hunter Campbell that when I sat in his office, ‘I don’t want to putz around the top 20, top 25. I don’t need a tune-up fight. I want to get thrown into the shark-infested waters of the lightweight division.’ That is what I have done since September 2020.
“Paddy’s good, he’s growing,” Chandler continued. “I think the pressure I’m going to put on him, he’s obviously going to keep that evading [style], throwing a lot of kicks, kind of throwing some wild punches, trying to keep things interesting in there, because he knows when one of these hands lands, it’s going to be different than Jordan Leavitt. It’s going to be different than Bobby Green. It’s going to be different than a lot of the guys he has fought. But I’m up to the challenge. Prove me right, prove me wrong — let’s see what happens.”
UFC 314 already appears to be one of the most loaded cards of the year, at least on paper.
In an unexpected turn of events, Chandler will be sharing the spotlight with an old rival as former four-time Bellator champion Patricio Pitbull makes his highly anticipated UFC debut in a featherweight matchup against Yair Rodriguez.
Pitbull, aged 37, is following a similar path to Chandler’s entry into the UFC. Both fighters reached the pinnacle of their careers in Bellator, establishing themselves as legends in their respective weight classes. While their journeys to the UFC may have differed – Pitbull requested to be released from PFL while Chandler explored free agency – Chandler believes that his former adversary will have a similar eye-opening experience.
“I’m not surprised by his decision to sign with the UFC or the influx of fighters reaching out to Donn Davis and PFL for their releases,” Chandler remarked about Pitbull’s move.
Chandler, reflecting on his own transition to the UFC, emphasized the unparalleled significance of competing in the premier mixed martial arts organization. Having experienced life outside the UFC, Chandler appreciates the magnitude and opportunities that come with being a part of the UFC roster.
“I know firsthand the difference the UFC makes in a fighter’s career. It’s not just about the organization, but the opportunities, exposure, and financial rewards that come with it,” Chandler stated.
As Chandler and Pitbull embark on their UFC journeys, their focus remains on their upcoming challenges in their respective divisions. With Chandler determined to secure his first victory in 2022, his motivation is at an all-time high.
“I don’t need animosity to fuel my performance. I’ve been honing my skills since a young age, and I approach each fight with the same intensity and determination,” Chandler declared. “I’m ready to showcase my abilities and dominate in the Octagon.”
Both Chandler and Pitbull are poised for success in the UFC, eager to make their mark in the highly competitive world of mixed martial arts. Their paths may have crossed once again, but this time, they are united in their pursuit of greatness in the UFC.