Michael Chandler vs. Paddy Pimblett?

[13Seconds]

It wouldn't be crazier than when O'malley fought the #1 ranked Yan. Chandler is ranked #5 and it's the perfect time for Paddy to try to do what O'malley did.

It makes sense for the UFC to do this because let's be real, Paddy isn't getting better. It's not like he's a prospect. He's had 23 fights, been in multiple 5 rounders, former CW double champ etc... Still shows no signs of improvement. He cant break into the top 5 the traditional way so why not just skyrocket him with the most favourable stylistic matchup in the top 5? Chandler would love the exposure too.

Chandler vs Pimblett. Let it happen on the London PPV.

 

[Laheys'Liquorland]

Chandler via Murder.
And I don't like Chandler.

 

[OldBoy91]

They aren't fast tracking Pimblett to the top after last night.

 

[Question]

If you want this fight, you're probably not a very big fan of Paddy lol.

In all seriousness though, Paddy probably won't fight a ranked opponent up until he gets a new contract and now I think they'll be even more careful with his matchmaking since he got that gift of a decision over Gordon. The UFC are sorta running out of bad or mid-tier lightweight to give him now so this is definitely going to be tricky.
That being said, if they ever give him someone ranked at 155 it'll most likely be whatever's left of T-Ferg.

 

[Iroh]

O'Malley was still ranked like 12th or something. Paddy is ranked 62th on fightmetrics.

 

[GreatSaintGuillotine]

Chandler would absolutely unalive that child.

 

[SlipToOverhand]

Paddy will be sleeping soundly within a minute if they lock him in with the ninja turtle

 

[Izzysexboyfriend]

Paddy is still only 27. He hasn’t reached his prime yet, to say he won’t get better is just dumb.

 

[LetThemBleed]

Only ranked guy Paddy would get next is Ferguson, maybe the remains of Conor if that fight is ever made though how he's still ranked given his last LW win was in 2016 is beyond me. Would be a win win either Paddy or Conor would get finished.

 

[MAGNAT]

Pointless match. Paddy doesent deserve anyone from top-10

 

[Karelinator]

Paddy is still only 27. He hasn’t reached his prime yet, to say he won’t get better is just dumb.

He's been fighting for more than 10 years now, and has 23 fights, age isn't anything.

He's stagnant and doesn't show any signs of big improvements, and also has horrible habits between fights.

Sure he can get better, but Chandler grade fighters are beyond his grasp, IMO.

 

[MMAcolyte]

Only ranked guy Paddy would get next is Ferguson, maybe the remains of Conor if that fight is ever made though how he's still ranked given his last LW win was in 2016 is beyond me. Would be a win win either Paddy or Conor would get finished.

Damn I actually think that fight makes perfect sense from both a business and competitiveness standpoint. The Conor fight, that is.

Due to where they're at in their careers and their styles, matching Conor up with a good grappler who's on a bit of a role might be a good barometer for where he's really at.

 

[13Seconds]

Paddy is still only 27. He hasn’t reached his prime yet, to say he won’t get better is just dumb.

You won't get better at something if you don't work for it or do something different. I said he shows no signs of improvement and gotta stand by that. Maybe if he changes gym, coach or surround himself with less yes men or something his skills can improve, but as of right now his skill level is the same as it was 5 years ago.

I get that there are fighters like RDA and Oliveira who managed to improve to be championship material but they at least showed some semblance of elite skill even back when they were young.

I guess Paddys durability stands out?

 

[michi972]

I like both of them, Paddy more. Chandler would absolutely run through Paddy

 

[LetThemBleed]

Damn I actually think that fight makes perfect sense from both a business and competitiveness standpoint. The Conor fight, that is.

Due to where they're at in their careers and their styles, matching Conor up with a good grappler who's on a bit of a role might be a good barometer for where he's really at.

Agreed plus it would likely do v well on PPV, easily over a million I'd imagine. Not sure if Conor can even make 155 anymore though I mean what his last win there was 2016. The Chandler fight at 170 probably makes more sense and would still do bits PPV wise. If he beats Chandler he'd run over Pimblett, if he gets crushed and brutally finished not sure he comes back again.

 

[Grevor]

Rematch Erosa

 

[Luthien]

Interesting how Chandler would murder Paddy according to Sherdettes -- and now in 2025 Paddy beating Chandler meant nothing xx

 

[mangokush]

No one has ever dominated Chandler in the UFC like Paddy has

Chandler gave the Sherdog heroes like Charles, Dustin & Justin "wars" while Paddy just destroyed him easily

As far as the UFC is concerned, for that breakout performance against Chandler from Paddy, he gets the title shot against Justin

 

[VinceArch]

No one has ever dominated Chandler in the UFC like Paddy has

Chandler gave the Sherdog heroes like Charles, Dustin & Justin "wars" while Paddy just destroyed him easily

Paddy was dominant BECAUSE Chandler went through those wars, accumulating tons of mileage on a body that had a ton of wars in Bellator already.

 

[Rampage_Jackson]

Interesting how Chandler would murder Paddy according to Sherdettes -- and now in 2025 Paddy beating Chandler meant nothing xx

expose these frauds