Paddy Pimblett took a big step towards his goal of winning a UFC title by defeating Michael Chandler in Miami.
Pimblett from Liverpool controlled the fight against Chandler, pushing a fast pace and landing powerful strikes.
He won the fight by finishing Chandler in the third round at 3:07, keeping his perfect record in the UFC.
Pimblett was more effective from the start, using his striking skills while Chandler tried to wrestle.
Pimblett kept control and landed a knee in the third round that led to Chandler`s loss.
“I proved my point. I told everyone I would do exactly this, and I did it. Everyone said I couldn`t beat him standing up. But who was trying to take who down? It was him. He was trying to take me down because I was out-striking him,” Pimblett said after the fight.
“I`m the new generation. He`s the old generation. I`m the rising star. I`m coming for the top five fighters now. I`m coming for the championship belt. You can laugh if you want. People have doubted me my whole life, thinking I wouldn`t achieve anything, but I keep proving them wrong every time.”
“Everyone underestimates me before every fight. Nobody gives me the respect I deserve. It`s pretty annoying.”
Pimblett thinks one more victory will put him in line for a shot at the UFC lightweight title.
“I want that world title,” he stated. “Some say I`ll never be champion, never get on a winning streak, never break into the top 10. But what do they say now?”
Chandler will soon be 39 years old, and this loss to Pimblett could push him towards retirement.
In the main event of UFC 314, Alexander Volkanovski won back the featherweight title, defeating Diego Lopes by decision.
Two judges scored the fight 49-46, and the other scored it 48-47.
Volkanovski had defended his title four times before losing to Islam Makhachev in 2023.
Who is next for Pimblett?
Pimblett is aiming for a fight against Charles Oliveira to set himself up for a title shot.
“I hope so. I want to be a world champion,” Pimblett said.
“I`ve always said I`m going to be a world champion, and fighting a former champion like Charles Oliveira, who defended his title twice and is considered the best submission fighter in UFC history, would be amazing. I`d love to fight him because I believe my submissions are even better than Charles Oliveira`s.”
