Dec 10, 2022; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Paddy Pimblett (red gloves) enters the arena before the fight against Jared Gordon (blue gloves) during UFC 282 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

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Paddy Pimblett Shoots Up As He Gets Higher Ranked Opponent For UFC 314

#12 Paddy Pimblett rises to the occasion with a higher-ranked opponent at UFC 314 in a 5 round banger!

The UFC lightweight division has a new star on the rise, and he is bringing that Scouse swagger all the way to Miami. Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett has been steadily climbing the ranks since his UFC debut in 2021. He has been charming fans with his bowl cut, witty banter, and impressive submission skills.

After starting in the regional circuits and making his name in Cage Warriors, Pimblett has transformed from a local Liverpool hero into a genuine UFC contender. His journey from the English fight scene to the bright lights of the UFC has been nothing short of remarkable marked, and he has had an ever-growing fanbase that can’t get enough of his charismatic personality!

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Paddy Pimblett’s Next Opponent

Now, Paddy Pimblett faces his biggest test yet. He is set to take on Michael Chandler in the co-main event of UFC 314. This matchup is a significant step up for Pimblett, who is coming off an impressive submission victory over King Green last July.

Chandler, a former Bellator champion known for his explosive wrestling and knockout power. He represents the kind of established veteran that Pimblett needs to beat to prove he belongs among the elite. The timing is particularly interesting. While Pimblett rides an six-fight winning streak and seems to be hitting his stride, Chandler has lost four of his last five bouts. It’s a classic case of the rising prospect meeting the battle-tested veteran at a crucial crossroads in both their careers.

Michael Chandler will face Paddy Pimblett in a lightweight bout at UFC 314, Dana White announced.

The bout will be 5 rounds and serve as the co-main event. pic.twitter.com/L9UKi9leJo
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) February 20, 2025

The contrast in their styles and personalities makes this fight even more intriguing. Chandler brings that All-American wrestling pedigree and a flair for dramatic comebacks, having been in wars with the likes of Justin Gaethje and Dustin Poirier. Meanwhile, Pimblett’s grappling-heavy approach and slick submissions have proven effective against everyone he’s faced in the UFC so far.

But questions remain about whether he can handle the sheer power and experience of someone like Michael Chandler. The Miami crowd at the Kaseya Center is in for a treat. Either Pimblett announces himself as a serious contender by taking out a big name. Or Chandler reminds everyone why he is been considered one of the most exciting fighters in the division.The fact that this fight is slotted as the co-main event of a pay-per-view shows just how much star power Pimblett and Chandler have generated!

(Image Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie – Imagn Images)

Michael Chandler

Paddy Pimblett

UFC 314

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!