Michael Chandler, UFC 309 ceremonial weigh-in Credit score: Jake Noecker/Cageside Press
Paddy Pimblett gained’t be combating at UFC London in March, as a result of he has a much bigger fish to fry at UFC 314 in April: former Bellator MMA light-weight champion Michael Chandler.
A five-round co-main occasion between Chandler (23-9) and Pimblett (22-3), at light-weight, was introduced by UFC CEO and President Dana White on Wednesday. Promotion officers later confirmed the reserving.
The transfer places to mattress months of hypothesis on who Pimblett’s subsequent opponent can be, in addition to shifting Chandler even farther from the blockbuster match-up with Conor McGregor that was imagined to have headlined UFC 303 final yr.
A 3-time Bellator MMA light-weight champ, Chandler joined the UFC in 2021, knocking out Dan Hooker in his debut. That was sufficient to earn him a shot at then-champ Charles Oliveira, a struggle “Iron” Mike misplaced. Chandler would then lose in violent vogue (is there some other means) to Justin Gaethje in a struggle fan’s dream match-up, earlier than bouncing again reverse Tony Ferguson.
Extra not too long ago, Chandler has misplaced to Dustin Poirier, and in a rematch with Oliveira. His final 5 UFC fights, and 6 of seven total, have earned him post-fight bonuses nevertheless.
Pimblett has been seen as a future celebrity since blowing up in Cage Warriors years in the past. His trajectory within the UFC has been steep, with Paddy “the Baddy” hovering quick and beating everybody put in entrance of him thus far. These names embody Tony Ferguson and King Inexperienced (previously Bobby), which have earned the 30-year previous one other step up in competitors.
Pimblett is ranked #12, and Chandler #7 within the UFC’s light-weight division.
UFC 314 takes place on the Kaseya Middle in Miami, Florida on April 12, 2025. The cardboard is headlined by Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes combating for the promotion’s now-vacant featherweight title. One other former Bellator champion, Patricio Pitbull, additionally makes his promotional debut on the occasion.
