UFC 314 Michael Chandler vs Paddy Pimblett prediction: Ex-double champ foresees scouser silencing haters

Henry Cejudo is 'smelling an upset' in Saturday’s Michael Chandler vs. Paddy Pimblett five-round UFC 314 PPV co-main event.

UFC 314 Michael Chandler vs Paddy Pimblett prediction: Ex-double champ foresees scouser silencing haters

Henry Cejudo smells Paddy Pimblett snagging an upset over Michael Chandler (Source: X/IMAGO)

Exciting contender Paddy Pimblett returns in a five-round lightweight bout at Kaseya Center in Miami at the end of this week. He meets yet another exciting and explosive 155-pounder, Michael Chandler, in the UFC 314 PPV co-main event. Pimblett can make a case to shoot for gold that fast if he wins this. Consequently, big names in the industry think might just.

After a modest build-up, ex-Cage Warrior FC champ Paddy Pimblett now stands 22-3 MMA. He has also made a neat 6-0 UFC run. He felt the narrative shifting with being popular, but thought a win over Michael Chandler would get him close to top contender battles. Although a slight betting favorite over Chandler, Henry Cejudo billed it will be a proper upset if he can get this one in.

I’m smelling an upset, …Paddy Pimblett: I think he’s going to bring in the grappling. I think he might pull guard on this dude. His hands are not bad, either. I also think he can force Michael Chandler to do something in the bottom. If he cannot take Michael Chandler down, he’s more likely going to have to do that…But I just feel like Paddy Pimblett, he’s a lot better than what I thought and what he was able to do to Bobby Green, his transitional stuff. We’ve got to put some respect on that dude’s name.

Henry Cejudo via the “Pound 4 Pound with Kamaru Usman & Henry Cejudo” Podcast
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Former Bellator-champ/155-pound title challenger, Michael Chandler, recently lost to Charles Olvieria, who has had his promise for title shot. ‘The Baddy’ can substitute that rep and spot, snagging a win in the bag with this one. Way ahead of UF 314, he has also started squabbling with the actual #1 ranking lightweight on the listings: Arman Tsarukyan.

As such, Pimblett is already drawing the dots on the board and starting quarrels right where he should. Cejudo saw big implications for Pimblett with a win, looking at the landscape of the convoluted 155-pound class. He claimed the Scouser can get a title shot with just one win after this. Additionally, even one of Cejudo’s rivals agreed upon Pimblett’s future.

Sean O’Malley lauds ‘skilled’ Paddy Pimblett before UFC 314

Former UFC 135-pound champ Sean O’Malley is of the same popularity flock with Scouser Paddy Pimblett. As a colorful personality, ‘Suga’ often catches fire for UFC boss’s privilege, as had Pimblett despite some really modest efforts and wins. O’Malley, for his part, can’t help but heap praises on the fighter.

Top name is all praises for UFC 314's Paddy Pimblett
Top name is all praises for UFC 314’s Paddy Pimblett (Source: X)

Michael Chandler is Pimblett’s biggest skills test to date. He will mean to rebound from back-to-back losses to Dustin Poirier and Charles Oliveira (dropped four of past five). But his explosiveness and classic American scrambles are ones to hold when they come knocking. For example, he kicked the business out of veteran Tony Ferguson with a front-kick KO at UFC 274, who The Baddy also faced later on.

As such, both fighters have their potent skill sets and dangers. O’Malley agreed Chandler had equal things to gain with a win and quite the momentum. But he can’t just count Paddy Pimblett out of it.

Paddy vs. Michael Chandler is such an interesting fight, …Michael Chandler is such a gangster for taking that fight. If he beats Paddy, that’s still a big win – maybe not in some people’s eyes, but Paddy is fu*king skilled. What he did to Bobby Green was super. It’s a big fight…I feel like it’s going to be very competitive. … [Pimblett] he is very sharp and he’s very skilled.

Sean O’Malley via his Official YT channel, the ‘TimboSugaShow’ (@SugaSeanUFC) TSS | Ep.314
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Pimblett notched a spot in the top 15 rankings after a SOTY-worthy first-round submission of King Green at UFC 304. Per DraftKings Sportsbooks, he propped up at -110 even on the money line but is since rising. He is the betting favorite for some lines due to age and inconsistency from Chandler.

Related: Michael Chandler Wife: Who is Iron Mike’s better half?