Paddy Pimblett Beats Michael Chandler By 3rd-Round TKO in Co-Main Event at UFC 314

Paddy "The Baddy" Pimblett took a huge step towards legitimizing himself as a UFC contender with a third-round TKO win over Michael Chandler in the co-main event of UFC 314.

Both Pimblett and Chandler are known for putting on a show and the first round didn’t disappoint. Chandler started fast as usual, but it was Pimblett who closed out the round with a fun flurry. 

Unforunately for Chandler, the second round was much more lopsided. The 38-year-old was showing his age while Pimblett put his foot on the gas. 

He nearly finished the fight with a choke, but Chandler was able to survive the round. 

That survival only prolonged the inevitable, though. He split open Chandler's head with a beautiful flying knee at the beginning of the third round before dominating the rest of the round and earning the TKO. 

Pimblett has enjoyed a slow, but steady rise to fame in the UFC. His outspoken personality and unique look might have done some of the heavy lifting early on, but he continues to pile on the wins.

He is now 7-0 since joining the UFC in September of 2021. His unique personality and ability to finish fights earned him this spotlight fight. His performance against Chandler should open up even more doors.

Don't worry. He already has a plan all lined up.

Speaking to media on the UFC 314 weigh-in show, Pimblett predicted a victory over Chandler then outlined his path to a title shot in 2026.

"I’d love to fight a legend like Charles [Oliveira], to be honest, in Abu Dhabi in October," he said, per Mike Heck of MMA Fighting. "Everyone says that Charles is the best submission artist the UFC’s ever seen — and by numbers, he is. He’s got more finishes, more submissions than anyone, so I’d love to fight him: Former UFC undisputed champion, two defenses."

Pimblett then predicted a win over Oliveira would earn him a title shot in 2026.

There's no doubt that a win over Chandler has brought him closer to that plan becoming a reality. However, he still has a lot to prove.

The 38-year-old Chandler that Pimblett just beat isn't the same version that was a two-time Bellator champion or even the one who originally fought Oliveira for the title in 2021.

Pimblett will need to win a fight against a top-ranked opponent much closer to their prime to get the respect he's looking for.