Paddy Pimblett made fairly the assertion within the UFC 314 co-main occasion after the mauled Michael Chandler earlier than incomes a third-round stoppage to earn the most important win of his profession.
Outdoors of a pair takedowns from Chandler it was the Paddy present from begin to end as he dazzled on the ft after which utterly took over as soon as the battle hit the canvas. After Pimblett reversed a place and received on high of Chandler, he first appeared for a submission however then simply battered the previous title challenger with punches and elbows.
Pimblett finally moved into the mount the place he simply rained down blows and Chandler might solely cowl up because the referee noticed sufficient to cease the competition with the tip coming at 3:07 within the third spherical. Instantly after the battle, Chandler received up and his face was a bloody mess earlier than he exited the cage whereas Pimblett smiled in celebration as he remained undefeated within the UFC whereas taking an enormous step ahead within the light-weight division.
“That is how we win,” Pimblett stated afterwards. “We sport plan, we use our battle IQ, and we beat motherf*ckers up. Anyone received another questions?”
Already acknowledged as one of many greatest stars on the roster, Pimblett is now searching for a battle that will get him a title shot and he’s taking goal at some legends within the light-weight division.
“Anybody within the high 4, high 5. I need that world title,” Pimblett stated. “I need Dustin [Poirier], Justin [Gaethje], Charles [Oliveira] or the luxurious boy Arman [Tsarukyan]. I respect Dustin, Justin, Charles — Charles is the most important legend out of all of them and he will get known as the perfect submission artist the UFC’s ever seen however I dispute that. I’m right here. So me versus Charles, f*ck Arman, he’s somewhat helmet. F*ck
It was nearly all Pimblett from the soar, though some early leg kicks did result in an enormous takedown from Chandler as he appeared to manage the Brit in opposition to the cage. Unfortunatley, he by no means actually produced a lot offense from the place.
It wasn’t till Pimblett held onto a kimura somewhat too lengthy when Chandler unloaded some huge punches because the lightweights received again to the ft.
From there, Pimblett displayed good hanging at distance, throwing one or two punches at a time whereas Chandler was circling away. Pimblett lastly exploded ahead with a leaping assault that received the group on its ft however Chandler smiled again at him simply earlier than the opening spherical ended.
On the restart, Pimblett took the middle of the cage and continued stalking Chandler throughout the cage whereas throwing extra of these nasty leg kicks and a slick straight punch that stored discovering a house on the chin. That led to a different takedown from Chandler however he received somewhat too aggressive with Pimblett shrugging him off after which touchdown on high.
Pimblett instantly transitioned to aspect management after which to mount as he started blasting Chandler with punches and elbows. A second later, Pimblett was on his again with the physique triangle locked on as he continued punching away till the horn sounded.
On the restart, Pimblett unleashed a surprising leaping knee that slammed into Chandler’s cheek and opened a nasty lower throughout his face. Pimblett got here after him with an enormous takedown earlier than snatching Chandler’s again in opposition to the cage as he peppered away with strikes to then probably arrange his submissions.
Pimblett continued his assault till he moved into the mount the place he simply unleashed a barrage of punches and elbows that compelled Chandler to show to keep away from the onslaught. That was sufficient for the referee to step in and save Chandler from additional hurt.
It’s robust to think about this doesn’t earn Pimblett a kind of opponents he talked about, particularly with the possibility for the UFC to probably crown a brand new title contender within the close to future. As for Chandler, he falls to a disappointing 2-5 within the UFC with a 3rd loss in a row general and it’s troublesome to say the place precisely he goes from right here.
