Prominent MMA name sees Scouser Paddy Pimblett on verge of ‘superstar status’ before UFC 314

Jon Anik's appreciation for Paddy Pimblett has grown, believes 'superstar status' within reach at UFC 314 PPV vs. Michael Chandler.

Prominent MMA name sees Scouser Paddy Pimblett on verge of ‘superstar status’ before UFC 314

UFC 314's Paddy Pimblett knows where he sits against Michael Chandler (Source: X)

Fan-favorite lightweight Paddy Pimblett meets Michael Chandler in Saturday’s five-round UFC 314 PPV co-main event. After a slow build from his debut, ‘The Baddy’ has made UFC his home and now meets one of the biggest names. A former multiple-time Bellator champ and a UFC title challenger, Chandler will be Pimblett’s toughest test to date.

However, the Scouser has operated on all cylinders inside the octagon. Pimblett knows this win will get him to the big things and closer to undisputed gold. He has often already jibed down that the top crops and even the champ won’t defeat him. Many have touted that he is rocking a rock-solid mentality and grit for it. Jon Anik said he was impressed with Paddy Pimblett’s thought ahead of UFC 314.

He’s loose as a goose, and he’s ready to challenge against the elite fighters, … Paddy Pimblett could easily try to parlay a win over Michael Chandler into a championship opportunity. Instead, though, he’s talking about beating Chandler and then having to get through either Charles Oliveira or Dustin Poirier…All Paddy Pimblett has to do is get to a title fight to be a global superstar, …[He] just has to win these next two fights. If he can beat Michael Chandler, superstar status might be attained.

John Anik to MMAJunkie’s Mike Bohn on ‘The Bohnfire, Ep. 27’
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Anik will have lead UFC commentary duties on PPV at UFC 314, along with Daniel Cormier and Joe Rogan. Little about a month ahead of this fight, he sat down for a pre-fight media check-in with ‘Baddy’. Anik said his biggest takeaway was about where Pimblett sits in the 155-pound title scenario and where a ‘W’ over Michael Chandler would position him. He even billed him mature for it.

Pimblett notched a quick first-round submission of King Green to debut in the top-15 divisional rankings. Now, Anik agreed that Pimblett vs. Charles Oliveira, for example, would be audaciously big on a skill-to-skill level. However, the Englishman, to his knowledge, is not trying to fast-track it to a UFC 155-pound top-seed matchup. Pimblett is taking it one challenge at a time, and he liked him for it.

Paddy Pimblett to face massive stakes at UFC 314 PPV co-mains

At 2-4 UFC but 23-9 MMA, Michael Chandler marks a different territory. Chandler is 1/4 names in Bellator/UFC/WEC/PRIDE/Strikeforce to hold three title reigns in a single weight class. ‘Iron’ has touted 18 of his 23 career victories in the way of stoppage. Both of his UFC wins are also via knockout.

Paddy Pimblett has quite the stern test ahead at UFC 314 PPV
Paddy Pimblett has quite the stern test ahead at UFC 314 PPV (Source: X)

A recipient of Fight of the Night bonuses in five of his six UFC ballot fights, Chandler is a berserker when he gets things going. He considered his last outing a big ick in his tenure and will be meaning to bounce back that much harder. So, this one will be a doozy for Paddy Pimblett to get through.

Pimblett’s six-fight UFC winning streak at UFC 155-pound competition is the second-longest, trailing behind champ Islam Makhachev. But he is at a crossroads with this UFC 314 matchup. While he’s had a tumultuous on-again, off-again rapport with fans at times, there’s no doubt that Pimblett is magnetic, especially with the English crowds.

Baddy can be a polarizing PPV top draw. Moreover, he has punctuated a lively brand where his fans are either die-hard followers or staunch critics; no in-betweens. Top names like Daniel Zellhuber to Beneil Dariush have already billed he gets premeditated prey to make him look good.

Anik mentioned this is a vital after UFC 314. Pimblett’s career can reach new heights if he gets past Chandler. But it could backfire, with fans and analysts saying he had met his skill ceiling if he cannot. Outside of that, he already doused he’d be eyeing Dustin Poirier or Oliveira next. Oliveira, arguably, is the toughest name, other than the champ.

Related: Rising superstar Paddy Pimblett eats whopping 47 chicken wings to break local record