Michael Chandler’s crushing defeat at the hands of Paddy Pimblett at UFC 314 on Saturday had a different feel compared to most of his previous UFC appearances.
Renowned for his all-action style inside the Octagon, Chandler (23-10 MMA, 2-5 UFC) has been a fan favorite since making the jump to the UFC from Bellator in 2021. Despite losing four of his first six UFC bouts, the former Bellator lightweight champion delivered some wildly entertaining battles against the likes of Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje.
Saturday’s humbling co-main event loss marked Chandler’s third straight defeat—and according to one former opponent, it was a far more one-sided drubbing than any of his previous UFC losses.
“I think this whole week what we’ve been talking about his back was against the wall,” Dustin Poirier said about Chandler during the UFC 314 post-fight show. “We saw him lose again tonight and not just lose but get rolled by a young guy. That was a beating.”
Poirier (30-9 MMA, 22-8 UFC) submitted Chandler after a hard-fought battle when the pair faced off at UFC 281 back in 2022. Reflecting on Saturday’s performance, he suggested that the 38-year-old may finally be starting to show his age.
“After the first round, he had some success with the takedown, with the wrist ride, just riding him out in that first round,” Poirier said. “He won that first round and just didn’t look like himself in the second.
“Didn’t look sturdy on his feet. Looked like he was slowing down, which we don’t see him ever slow down in the second round. He’s in phenomenal shape, looks great but these years catch up to you.”
Poirier Believes Paddy Pimblett "Is A Lightweight Contender Now"
While Chandler may be forced to go back to the drawing board—or possibly even consider retirement—following Saturday’s defeat, Paddy Pimblett (23-3 MMA, 7-0 UFC) has the world at his feet.
The Liverpudlian name-checked Justin Gaethje, Charles Oliveira, and even Poirier when asked who he might face next after such a statement victory. Poirier believes Pimblett has certainly done enough to enter the title conversation at 155 pounds.
“I thought he was a goofy looking guy with a silly haircut that people are kind of getting behind like a fad,” Poirier said. “Like ‘oh this is fun, let’s cheer this goofy looking guy on!’ But when you have a perfect storm like this where you are the goofy guy and you say these things and then you go out there and win fights, you become a massive star in the sport. That’s what he’s doing. He went from a prospect to a contender tonight. He’s a lightweight contender now.
“He’s in the top. Who doesn’t have a fight right now? Gaethje? Maybe Arman? Oliveira? All fun fights, all great fights. You don’t fight back now. You continue to fight up and go for the title. I think you give him one of those guys.”
