Despite Paddy Pimblett`s convincing victory over Michael Chandler, not everyone was entirely impressed.
At UFC 314 in April, Pimblett decisively defeated Chandler, advancing his position in the lightweight division.
The brutal third-round TKO stoppage was the Liverpool fighter`s seventh consecutive win in the UFC, propelling him to the No. 8 spot in the rankings.
Consequently, many who doubted Pimblett`s potential for title contention or even winning a championship are now showing support.
However, a significant number are still reluctant to fully praise `The Baddy` at this stage.
Lightweight Contender Grant Dawson Remains Skeptical of Pimblett`s Elite Status
In a recent interview with Inside Fighting, fellow lightweight contender Grant Dawson discussed Pimblett`s win in Miami.
Dawson, who had previously voiced skepticism about the fighter from Liverpool, conceded that Pimblett`s performance at UFC 314 somewhat shifted his perspective.
Nevertheless, the American Top Team fighter maintained that `The Baddy` is still not as skilled as many fans believe.
Dawson commented on Pimblett, saying, “I believe he has improved. He has gotten much better.”
He added, “I think he is better than most people in the division give him credit for, but I also think he is significantly worse than what the fans perceive.”
Michael Chandler`s UFC Record Following Loss to Paddy Pimblett
Dawson also recently drew attention for strongly criticizing Chandler and questioning his continued high ranking in the lightweight division.
`Iron Mike` has consistently ranked in the top 10 since his impressive knockout debut against Dan Hooker.
However, a series of subsequent losses, including his current three-fight losing streak, have resulted in a disappointing 2-5 record in the UFC.
| Result | Opponent | Method | Event | Date |
| Loss | Paddy Pimblett | TKO | UFC 314 | April 12, 2025 |
| Loss | Charles Oliveira | Decision | UFC 309 | November 16, 2024 |
| Loss | Dustin Poirier | Submission | UFC 281 | November 12, 2022 |
| Win | Tony Ferguson | KO | UFC 274 | May 7, 2022 |
| Loss | Justin Gaethje | Decision | UFC 268 | November 6, 2021 |
| Loss | Charles Oliveira | TKO | UFC 262 | May 15, 2021 |
| Win | Dan Hooker | TKO | UFC 257 | January 24, 2021 |
Coming close to winning the UFC title against Charles Oliveira and the long wait for a fight with Conor McGregor, which arguably paused Chandler`s career momentum, mean his UFC journey hasn`t unfolded exactly as he might have hoped.
Despite this, the 39-year-old has given no indication of immediate retirement, suggesting he will likely have more opportunities to improve his UFC record in the future.
