Consider Michael Chandler a fan of fellow UFC lightweight and rising U.K. star Paddy Pimblett.
Chandler was in London this past weekend and took in Pimblett’s second-round submission win over Jordan Leavitt at UFC Fight Night 208, much to the delight of a raucous crowd inside The O2. The atmosphere was something to behold, and it – along with “The Baddy’s” performance – made Chandler appreciate what Pimblett is doing.
Even though Chandler and Pimblett are in different stages of their careers, it even got the former multiple-time Bellator champion thinking about what the future could hold as he continues his own quest to become a UFC champ.
“He’s great, man,” Chandler told reporters backstage at The O2 this past weekend. “Paddy and I have been in contact a little bit. He’s a guy who’s in that perfect – kind of that perfect position where I’m the guy. I’m gonna be the champion here in the next 12 months. He’s going to be nipping at my heels, coming into the top 15, coming into the top 10. But I don’t have a scarcity mindset when it comes to other guys in my division, especially when I see guys who are doing it the right way in my opinion.”
Which is exactly what Chandler, 36, thinks of 27-year-old Pimblett.
Before making his UFC debut last year, Pimblett already was well known in the U.K., having won the Cage Warriors featherweight title. Pimblett’s bid to become a two-division Cage Warriors champion fell short after a loss to Soren Bak in September 2018.
Since then, Pimblett has won five fights in a row, which includes his first three in the UFC – one by knockout and two by submissions. The way things are unfolding, Chandler believes greatness could be in Pimblett’s future. And who knows if the stars align for them to square off one day?
“He’s a marketable guy, he’s a happy guy, he’s a fun guy, he’s fun to watch, he’s fun on the microphone, he’s the total package,” Chandler said. “People can hate on him all they want, but really they’re just being haters. Paddy Pimblett is the total package, but can he put it together inside the octagon within the bells and continue to keep winning? We’ll see.”
Michael Chandler calls Paddy Pimblett ‘the total package,’ envisions future UFC title fight
