Michael Chandler is steadfast about his confidence should he face Paddy Pimblett inside the octagon. Despite having registered only two victories out of six bouts with the UFC, Chandler has captured the hearts of many followers through sensational performances. Following his recent match against Charles Oliveira at UFC 309 last November, Chandler is fixated on taking on fan-favorite Pimblett next.
Pimblett has quickly risen as one of the colorful personalities of the UFC, and Chandler is eager to embrace this potential matchup, which he believes presents favorable stylistic opportunities. “I’m supposed to beat Paddy Pimblett in a lot of people’s eyes, so...that wells up even more motivation in me,” Chandler remarked. He praised the younger fighter's ambition, noting, “He’s got his whole career ahead of him, whereas I’ve been doing this for ten years longer than him, so I like it, man.”
Chandler expressed intentions to capitalize on their clash financially, reinforcing his ambition: “I like the idea of fighting Paddy Pimblett and making a ton of money, and it being—I don’t want to say easy fight because I could go out there and slip on a banana peel and get knocked out in front of everybody—but let’s just say I like the fight stylistically.” He added, “I like Paddy as a human. I think he’s one of the good ones. And with...that being said, does not stop me from wanting to separate him from consciousness.”
While Chandler awaits developments, Pimblett has yet to finalize his first fight of the new year, hoping for more fight activity after only competing once throughout all of 2024.
Meanwhile, the MMA spotlight shines brightly on Irish fighter Paul Hughes, preparing for his bout against Usman Nurmagomedov for the Bellator lightweight world title. This weekend's event is expected to be available for viewing across multiple regions on DAZN. Glory awaits Hughes, who earned this title shot following his impressive victory over veteran AJ McKee last October.
Expectations for Hughes are substantial. Many pundits speculate whether he can replicate or even outdo the legendary career of fellow Irishman Conor McGregor. Yet, not everyone is convinced. Nurmagomedov’s cornerman, Javier Mendez, downplayed the comparisons. “No, I do not,” Mendez stated to DAZN News, dismissing the notion of Hughes exhibiting McGregor-like attributes apart from being articulate. “I see him as a very tough guy. Undefeated guy, very confident guy, But I don’t see any of his technical aspect as anything special.”
For Hughes, this bout signifies his first opportunity at major MMA championship glory, as Nurmagomedov heads to the match with already two successful defenses of the Bellator title under his belt since winning it back in 2022.
DAZN continues to shape the viewing experience for fight enthusiasts. Boasting coverage of over 150 fights annually from boxing and MMA to bare-knuckle boxing and crossover events, DAZN entices viewers not just for the fight night but through additional content. Subscribing not only provides access to live events but also features documentaries, weekly boxing magazine shows, press conferences, and exclusive interviews, enhancing the fight fan's experience significantly.
Fight lovers can get close to the action of the biggest bouts of 2025 by signing up for either annual or monthly subscription plans. With the launch of these offerings, DAZN guarantees fans of Chandler, Hughes, and other fighters involving thrilling matchups to maintain their edge of excitement.