Rising UFC lightweight sensation Paddy Pimblett is preparing for his most significant test yet inside the octagon.
Following his impressive first-round submission victory over Bobby Green last summer, Pimblett aims to secure another definitive win to bolster his championship ambitions. He is set to face former title challenger Michael Chandler in Miami this Saturday.
Speaking about the upcoming clash, Pimblett stated it`s the biggest fight of his career:
“This is the biggest fight of my life [but] I love fighting, I love putting on a show for everyone and getting my hand raised, and all of those things are going to happen.”
He highlighted the importance of facing a higher-ranked opponent:
“He`s the name I`ve wanted my whole career. He`s ranked seventh and I`m ranked 12th. I can step up in the rankings and people can stop calling me a prospect and now a title contender.”
This bout marks the Liverpudlian`s first five-round co-main event in his seventh UFC appearance. With a potential title shot on the line, the pressure is high for Pimblett as he seeks to become only the third undisputed UFC champion from Britain.
Pimblett admitted the challenge but also believes Chandler might be overlooking him:
“I`m not going to lie. I haven`t fought anyone of his calibre. But I think he`s underestimating me. He thinks it`s the same Paddy that fought Jared Gordon that`s going to fight him because Jared is his teammate. It`s going to pay dividends on Saturday.”
Currently holding an undefeated 6-0 record in the UFC, Pimblett is determined to continue his winning streak. However, `The Baddy` is keenly aware of the task at hand against Chandler before he can focus on a title opportunity.
He reflected on a past fight where he underestimated his opponent:
“I can`t look past who I`m fighting. I`ll be honest I`ve done it before when I fought Jared Gordon, I underestimated and was looking past him, I was thinking this is in the bag. I then got a career-threatening injury in the first round and had to just push through it, and got a razor tight decision.”
That experience served as a crucial lesson:
“That taught me a valuable lesson – never think you`ve won before you get in there. I`ve got to go in there on Saturday night and do the business against Michael Chandler.”
Pimblett anticipates that even a flawless victory won`t silence his critics, citing past instances where narratives shifted after his wins:
“When it`s me the goal posts get moved. Before I fought Tony [Ferguson], [the critics thought:] `He`s going to snap his losing streak, he`s going to beat Paddy because he`s overhyped`. Then I beat him and it`s `Tony is washed`.”
He gave another example:
“[Green] was going to knock me out, and then I smoked him in a round.”
He expects a similar reaction regardless of the outcome against Chandler:
“People are now saying the same for Chandler, I`ve never fought anyone like Chandler, and then once I beat him, it`ll change. `He`s 38, 2-4 in the UFC and he`s finished.`”
Pimblett believes the only way to definitively prove himself is by becoming a UFC champion.
“It`s the only time people will shut up about it,” he said. “I`m used to it, it`s been happening my whole career.”
He commented on Chandler`s recent period of inactivity:
“I feel sorry for him to be honest, he sat out for that long waiting for Conor McGregor, and the fight never ended up happening. He ended up having to fight Charles Oliveira again for five rounds and got beat up, and now he`s got to fight me and get beat up, so it was a bad career choice.”
Predicting the fight, Pimblett detailed his strategy:
“He`s going to be very explosive for the first half of the round trying to take my head off but I`m just going to keep him long, on the end of my punches and kicks. 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. I don`t think he gets past the second round.”
Pimblett clearly sees a path, or “roadmap,” leading him to a potential UFC title fight against the likes of pound-for-pound king Islam Makhachev in the near future.
“This will put me one fight away, beat Michael Chandler and then beat Charles Oliveira, Arman Tsarukyan or Justin Gaethje and I`m next in line for the title. I`ve got that roadmap there waiting,” he explained.
Dreaming of Anfield
While his goal of becoming UFC champion inches closer, Pimblett shared another deeply held aspiration.
“I`ve always said my dream is to fight at Anfield,” he stated, referring to the famous Liverpool football stadium. “They don`t like doing stadiums especially in the UK [due to weather].”
Despite potential challenges, he has championed the idea to UFC staff:
“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.”
For Pimblett, the dream is specific:
“I don`t dream of fighting anywhere else than Anfield.”
