MICHAEL CHANDLER’s hopes of fighting Conor McGregor are seemingly finally over after a brutal loss to Paddy Pimblett.
The fan favourite suffered a third straight defeat in the co-main event of UFC 314 in Miami early on Sunday morning.
Michael Chndler locked horns with Paddy Pimblett in the co-main event of UFC 314[/caption]
Brit Pimblett brilliantly picked apart Chandler at range, chopping away with leg kicks[/caption]
Pimblett showed improved composure when he hurt Chandler[/caption]
Pimblett left Chandler a bloody mess in the third round[/caption]
The former three-time Bellator lightweight champion suffered a bloody fourth-round TKO loss to the pride of Liverpool in front of a packed crowd at the Kaseya Center – which included President Donald Trump.
Victory over Chandler was the biggest of Pimblett’s career and has catapulted him into lightweight title contention.
And he immediately sent a message to the division’s big dogs after silencing his detractors.
In his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan, he roared: “Anyone else got any questions?”
Pimblett did a brilliant job of keeping Chandler at range with leg kicks early in the first round.
And that forced Chandler to change tact and shoot for a big takedown, which he landed.
He was unable, however, to keep Pimblett on his back and they eventually returned to the feet.
And he reminded Pimblett he wouldn’t have things his own way with a big counter right hand.
Paddy Pimblett rained down hellfire on Michael Chandler to get a fourth-round stoppage[/caption]
The former Cage Warriors star silenced his detractors with his stoppage win over Chandler[/caption]
Low calf kicks continued to be Pimblett’s weapon of choice early in the second and he chewed up Chandler’s lead leg.
There was a brief pause to the action midway through the round as Chandler accidentally landed a front kick to the gonads as Pimblett threw one of his own.
Chandler got a takedown after the restart and briefly took the back of the Liverpudlian.
But he was too high and ended up slipping off and landing on the canvas.
Pimblett didn’t waste the opportunity to try to improve his position, transitioning and looking for several submissions.
And seconds before the round ended, he bludgeoned Chandler with elbows while squeezing the air out of him with a body triangle.
Paddy Pimblett’s flying knee left Michael Chandler with a horror cut on his left cheek[/caption]
Pimblett had a message for the rest of the lightweight division after the biggest win of his career[/caption]
Pimblett opened up a huge cut on Chandler with a spectacular counter flying knee seconds after the restart.
The 30-year-old immediately went for the kill but wisely opted not to gas himself out and instead secured a takedown.
He then proceeded to rain down hellacious strikes on a hurt and bloodied Chandler after transitioning like a knife through hot butter.
And the referee was left with no choice but to wave off the contest and simultaneously confirm Pimblett as a legit contender at 155lbs.
A fired-up Pimblett, who cost Conor McGregor £386k with his win over Chandler, said: “Anyone in the top four or top five.
“I want that world title.”
He added: “I want Dustin [Poirier],Justin, [Gaethje] Charles [Oliveira] or that little posh boy Arman [Tsarukyan].