After a few frustrating months on the sidelines, the UFC return fight by Michael Chandler was finally confirmed.
Last night Dana White went to Instagram to announce a large number of excellent fights that were added to the UFC calendar, including various huge attacks for the upcoming PPV in Miami.
The Co-Main event of that 'stacked' Sunshine State Showcase will contain the popular American Michael Chandler against rising British superstar, Paddy 'The Baddy' Pimblett. And it didn't take long before 'iron' fires the first shot.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Michael Chandler shares the first explanation after Paddy Pimblett confirmed
Both athletes had been teasing the lightweight matchup for a few weeks, but now it is official; Chandler vs Pimblett takes place in the Co-Main event of UFC 314 on 12 April.
Chandler responded in a video that was shared on his social media and revealed that there was a first hesitation about accepting the Pimblett fight; And that he drew on the dotted line after he flew to Las Vegas to meet Hunter Campbell.
“Things move very quickly in this sport. I was on vacation last week when I received a phone call … I said: 'Well hunter, April is only eight weeks away-I like to put four weeks of training before I enter a camp of eight weeks, so let me think of it . '
“The next day flew to Vegas and we talked about everything, and we made the decision – I am fighting Paddy Pimblett in Miami, April 12 … because an imperfect plan, which is now being implemented, is better than a perfect plan , months from now on. “
Chandler acknowledged that his confrontation with 'The Baddy' is not only a chance to leave his mark on a 'big summer for the lightweight division', but to make up for his most recent loss for Charles Oliveira.
“In this sport things go fast, there are many things going on in the division – it is a big summer for the lightweight division and after the last fight, one of the most disappointing losses of my career, I wanted to return to the horse immediately Right back in the octhoek.
“Here we go, I love the matchup – actually love the matchup, I respect paddy. I think he is a skilled hunter and he has a bright future, but I think he will meet a buzzsaw on April 12, Michael Chandler. “
The former Bellator world champion teased with a bitter smile that he will enter the Kaseya center with a single goal in mind the very first hunter that Paddy Pimblett knockout knockout.
“As always, I will be the most entertaining man who enters the Octagon that night. I will have everyone on their feet. I will have everyone on the edge of their chair.
“And on typical Chandler manner we go outside with one goal in mind – to separate our opponent from consciousness.”
#UFC314 in Miami vs Pimblett! This sport moves quickly and time is waiting for no one … An Imperfect Plan that is now being implemented is better than a perfect plan that will be implemented in the future. – Fish on. – See at the top! pic.twitter.com/m8jyzqcna33
– Michael Chandler (@mikesandlermma) February 20, 2025
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Chandler vs Pimblett is main support for the vacant UFC title fight
Chandler vs Pimblett is planned for the Co-Main event of UFC 314, with the featherweight world title on the line in the main event of the evening.
However, that will not include 'El Matador', after it has been revealed that Ilia Topuria had left his UFC title in favor of a big money that moved to lightweight.
The vacant featherweight title will now be disputed between former champion Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes – but that was not the only newly announced fight for UFC 314.
Also confirmed for that Miami card, Yair Rodriguez was against Patricio 'Pitbull', in which the former Bellator world champion now finally became a member of the former Foe Chandler on the UFC selection.
UFC 314: Volkanovski vs Lopes will go live from Miami on Saturday 12 April.
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