A relatively new name in the UFC lightweight rankings, Paddy Pimblett shot up to #8 in the world with a dominating win over Michael Chandler in the UFC 314 co-main event.
After the opening round, the fight was all Pimblett’s with ‘The Baddy’ cutting up Chandler with a brutal knee and ground and pound for a third-round TKO. A straight-up mauling of the former Bellator champion.
Chandler, 38, has heard many in the MMA community rip his performance and call for his retirement— none of which came from Pimblett.
We didn’t see a ton of Chandler following his TKO loss to Pimblett, rushed out of the Octagon and covered in towels before Bruce Buffer read the official decision.
In the aftermath of UFC 314, Pimblett went to Chandler’s locker room thank him face-to-face for the opportunity. Chandler was ranked #7 when he accepted the rather risky fight with Pimblett, who was outside the top 10.
“Thank you very much lad for sharing that Octagon with me,” Pimblett told Chandler in a video posted to his YouTube channel.
Battered and bruised, Chandler gave Pimblett a hug: “Congrats, man.”