Paddy Pimblett hasn't changed his stance on a prospective fight with Conor McGregor. Pimblett faces Michael Chandler in the co-main event of UFC 314 this weekend, in a fight he has described as the biggest of his career. His opponent, Chandler, is one of the best lightweights in the world, having stood toe-to-toe with Dustin Poirier, Justin Gaethje, and Charles Oliveira since his UFC arrival. Before his most recent bout against Oliveira in November, Chandler had been preparing to meet a returning Conor McGregor in the Octagon. The pair went head-to-head on season 31 of The Ultimate Fighter in 2023, which normally concludes with the head coaches having it out with one another in a fight. However, McGregor withdrew from the bout after injuring his toe while training, and still hasn't competed since breaking his leg in a trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier in 2021.
McGregor's UFC return has never seemed further away, but the Irishman reignited speculation on Thursday when he revealed his interest in Pimblett's bout with Chandler. "I've seen it, obviously. I got sent it by a good few people," Pimblett responded when asked about McGregor's remarks at the UFC 314 pre-fight press conference on Thursday night. McGregor had uploaded a video to social media of himself smashing pads with his coach and captioned it with a message for Chandler and Pimblett: "I am interested in the Chandler/Pimblett fight this weekend," he wrote.
Pimblett added: "I’d welcome that fight, that’s where the money is at. But I can’t look past Michael. I’ve got to fight Michael on Saturday night and get the win here. That’s all that matters." Chandler, who has gone back and forth with McGregor for years now, unsurprisingly had a bit more to say about his long-term rival. “I’m sure he’s watching,” Chandler chimed in. “He watches and he’s very interested in coming back, but can he put together a training camp? That’s the real question. We don’t know. All I know is you can see by my actions - fighting Charles Oliveira in November and now fighting five months later Paddy Pimblett - putting my ranking on the line, going out to brave the unknown. I’m going to stay active.”
Pimblett has already revealed several times that he would be more than happy to fight McGregor under any circumstances. Chandler, meanwhile, is on the same boat as Pimblett when it comes to fighting McGregor, as he has previously asserted that the Irishman should keep his 'word' and accept a fight with him. McGregor's slight call-out of both men has undoubtedly drawn even more eyes towards Pimblett's fight with Chandler, which takes place in the early hours of Sunday morning for UK fans live from the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. Regardless of who wins, don't be surprised if either man picks up the microphone after their victory to send a message back in the direction of McGregor's way.
Back in January, The Inbetweeners star-turned-talkSPORT MMA pundit Blake Harrison claimed Pimblett is the only UFC lightweight McGregor 'could' beat on his MMA return. Pimblett spoke on the potential fight one month later, saying it sounded 'very tasty. “A lot of people have said this to me already: ‘Beat Chandler, take the McGregor fight,'” he added. “Obviously, it would be the biggest fight in the sport, the biggest fight we’ve ever seen.”
UFC 314 is not just about Pimblett and Chandler; the main event features Alexander Volkanovski (1) against Diego Lopes (3) for the featherweight title. Other notable matchups include Yair Rodriguez (5) vs. Patricio Pitbull (debut), Bryce Mitchell (13) vs. Jean Silva (unranked), and Nikita Krylov (8) vs. Dominick Reyes (11). All eyes will be on the co-main event as Pimblett looks to secure a victory that could catapult him into title contention.
Pimblett won’t be the next Conor McGregor, but he carries a larger-than-life personality that has captivated fans. Since putting himself on the map in September 2021 with a first-round knockout of Luigi Vendramini in his debut, Pimblett has both delighted and divided the UFC world. There is one thing he hasn’t done: lose. And yet, entering Sunday’s fight against Michael Chandler, there is a sense that the 30-year-old Englishman still has plenty to prove before anyone takes him seriously in the UFC’s lightweight division.
“The goalposts always get moved with me,” Pimblett said at UFC 314 media day earlier in the week. “Everyone’s saying now before the fight ‘Chandler’s going to knock him out, Paddy is not good.’ Then once I beat him, it will be, ‘He’s 2-4 in the UFC, he’s 38, he’s washed.’ I’m used to it. I get on with it now. I just go out there and prove how good I am by winning.” Winning against an elite and experienced fighter like Chandler would go a long way toward proving Pimblett is more than just a big personality and distinctive mop of hair.
Chandler has faced tough competition, including Charles Oliveira (twice), Justin Gaethje, and Dustin Poirier. He has just one win since 2021, but it’s important to consider the context of his recent fights. Chandler’s experience and motivation to stay active will make this a challenging bout for Pimblett. If Pimblett continues to leave his chin exposed, as has been the case in previous fights, Chandler will have no problems putting him to sleep.
However, Pimblett believes he can finish Chandler. “I don’t think he gets past the second round,” he stated confidently. “I think I’ll either knock him out as he wades in or we’ll end up on the floor and I’ll submit him.” A win over Chandler could propel Pimblett into the top 10 and solidify his status as a contender. “People are going to stop calling me a prospect and start calling me a contender,” Pimblett declared.
While the fight is crucial for Pimblett's career aspirations, he also aims to use his platform for a greater cause. He launched 'The Baddy Foundation' in 2022 to spotlight men’s mental health after losing a friend to suicide. “I just got into this sport to fight. Now the fact that people look up to me, I’ve got to try to set an example – especially for the younger generation,” he explained.
Pimblett envisions a future where he can fight at Anfield, the iconic stadium of Liverpool FC. “I’ve always said my dream is to fight at Anfield. They don’t like doing stadiums especially in the UK. I’ve said to several UFC staff to come to Anfield to watch a game of football and see that it doesn’t take away from the atmosphere there.”
As for McGregor, he has hinted at his desire to return to the Octagon. After sharing a video of himself hitting pads with his trainer, he expressed interest in the upcoming fight between Chandler and Pimblett. McGregor's future remains uncertain, but his presence looms large over the lightweight division.
As UFC 314 approaches, the anticipation builds. Pimblett's fight against Chandler could be a turning point in his career, and all eyes will be on the Kaseya Center in Miami this Sunday. Will Pimblett prove the doubters wrong and take a step closer to title contention? The answer lies just around the corner.
