Paddy Pimblett calls out ‘goal post shifters’ ahead of Michael Chandler fight: “I will be in title contention”

Rising 155-pound prospect Paddy Pimblett doesn't think he'll get his props if he beats Michael Chandler in the UFC 314 PPV co-main event.

Paddy Pimblett calls out ‘goal post shifters’ ahead of Michael Chandler fight: “I will be in title contention”

Paddy Pimblett vents on shifting field, before UFC 314 challenge (Source: X/IMAGO)

Scouser lightweight sensation Paddy Pimblett isn’t expecting any credit if he gets past ex-Bellator brand face Michael Chandler. Pimblett faces him in a five-round lightweight PPV co-main, April 12, at Kaseya Center in Miami. The UFC 314 star has a long road ahead of him. Nevertheless, he has created a unique but premature legacy as he’s undefeated in the UFC.

“The Baddy” cracked top-15 divisional athlete listings after his SOTY-worthy triangle choke over King Green. Ahead of this, he swept out Tony Ferguson, Jared Gordon, and Jordan Leavitt. A win over ex-title challenger Michael Chandler can easily morph him from rising prospect to proper contender. Paddy Pimblett isn’t holding high hopes about the street cred, though.

Every fight, I get underestimated and overlooked, …But I’m getting in there now with someone who’s top 10, someone who’s fought all the legends in the division; So finally, I’m going to get in there and when I win, people can’t chat sh*t – but they will. The goal posts always get moved when I win. People will start saying stuff. But I’m going to be ranked No. 7 once this fight’s over, and I will be in title contention.

Paddy Pimblett during the UFC 314 PPV kickoff media presser and faceoffs
YouTube video

Paddy Pimblett often catches fire for an alleged ‘Dana White privilege.‘ But that does deter him to make call-ups that not even the champ can defend him. He believed a win over “Iron” would propel him that near to the top 5, even though it would not clear perceptions around him. All the playing field stays like that, but Team Next Generation UK’s Baddy is ready for it.

The UFC 314 star has kept it cordial with Michael Chandler. He also wants names like Charles Oliveira and even Dustin Poirier to propel him to a title shot. As it is he thinks Layfette lightweight Poirier is planning a last dance too early when he can still brawl it out with up-and-coming prospects that easy. There’s one other name he means to face but does not think is worthy of it: Ilia Topuria.

Paddy Pimblett: Would rather face Ilia Topuria for top contention spot while Islam Makhachev stays the champ

Paddy Pimblett is just a name in the convoluted lightweight ranks, one that now has “El Matador”. Effective from UFC 314 PPV, Topuria is vacating the stake to his 145-pound strap in hopes of a 155-pound shift. The move has opened up the doors (or at least renewed rumors) for a Topuria vs. Islam Makhachev super fight.

Paddy Pimblett names fights he wants after Michael Chandler
Paddy Pimblett names fights he wants after Michael Chandler (Source: X)

Topuria has made no secret of wanting another belt at 155 pounds ever since he won and defended in 2024. He has thus crossed paths with Makhachev for it. Club Climente (Spain) and his manager often also douse that the champ struggled around 145lber Alexander Volkanovski the first time around; he blew Volk out to bag gold easily.

As such, the Topuria vs. Makhachev fight rumor is growing in layers. A European style striker vs. a Team Khabib prodigy; the MMA community saw the bloated fight once before. It’s also become a skills test and pound-for-pound spot grub. Asked on who he wants to stay champ if he gets past Michael Chandler, Pimblett had his own thoughts.

Islam Makhachev – I don’t think [Topuria] he gets near him…After I beat Chandler, I’d love to fight Ilia next, but we’ll see what happens…I just want to fight someone who will get me a title fight, because obviously that’s what we do this for.

Paddy Pimblett further said

Pimblett, 30, has scuffled with Topuria for a while now. He also grades the featherweight champ lower than him, often saying he can beat him. Now that such a fight is entirely possible, he wants to play spoiler in his 155-pound run.

Topuria is a good draw and a fight like that would push him to title contention that much faster. Per DraftKings Sportsbook, though, both the British fighter and Chandler have propped up as an even -110 on the money line.

Related: Paddy Pimblett drags Dustin Poirier’s UFC contract after getting rejected for ‘legends only’ fight