If you didn't believe before, you may have to now.
Paddy Pimblett scored the biggest fight of his career in the co-main event of UFC 314, brutally finishing Michael Chandler.
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Pimblett, as he has previously, started his attack with a leg-kick focus. Chandler landed a long jab before Pimblett tried to get his own striking going -- only for Chandler to grab and score a takedown. Pimblett looked to stand and grab a kimura, but Chandler brought him back down briefly -- also landing a couple of strong strikes to Pimblett's head. Pimblett jumped for a triangle, and despite it failing, brought the fight back to the feet seconds later.
Pimblett got off to a strong start in the second round, keeping his distance and working combinations on Chandler. Chandler scored another pair of takedowns about two minutes into the round, but Pimblett was almost immediately back to his feet both times. Pimblett landed a series of elbows, but Chandler looked to answer by getting to Pimblett's back. He rode too high, however, and Pimblett reversed the position.
Paddy Pimblett Makes Statement At UFC 314, Stops Michael Chandler
Pimblett threatened an arm-triangle choke before getting to Chandler's back. Pimblett rained down elbows as Chandler tried to escape before Chandler gave his back up again. Pimblett rained down blows with a body triangle locked around Chandler as the second round ended.
Pimblett busted open Chandler and rocked him with a jumping knee early in the third, looking to finish the fight with a flurry before quickly returning the fight to the mat. After a couple of minutes of control, Pimblett's ground-and-pound proved to be too much, forcing a referee stoppage in the middle of round three.
Since jumping to the UFC from Cage Warriors in 2021, Pimblett is a perfect 7-0 in the UFC.
Chandler, meanwhile, has lost three straight and five of six. His sole win in this span was his UFC 274 knockout of Tony Ferguson.