UFC fighter Paddy Pimblett shared words of encouragement for Michael Chandler following their UFC 314 match.
Earlier this month at UFC 314, Paddy Pimblett achieved the most significant victory of his MMA career against Michael Chandler, a popular UFC fighter. In a dominant performance, Pimblett bloodied Chandler`s face and established himself as a serious contender in the lightweight division.
Leading up to their UFC 314 fight, Pimblett and Chandler maintained a respectful rivalry, both acknowledging each other`s talent. However, both lightweights are fiercely competitive and understood the stakes of their co-main event bout.
Despite his status as one of the UFC`s biggest stars, Chandler has now lost his last three fights, casting doubt on his future in combat sports.
Pimblett Expresses Respect for Chandler After Win
Pimblett`s rise in the UFC is attributed to his exceptional fighting skills and his charismatic personality. Despite his sometimes outspoken nature, Pimblett recognizes Chandler`s impact on Mixed Martial Arts and conveyed this in a recent social media message.
In a recent Instagram post, Pimblett sent a gracious message to Chandler after their fight.
“It was an absolute honor to share the Octagon with such a legend of the sport in [Michael Chandler],” Pimblett wrote.
“I have nothing but respect for him before the fight, and even more after we fought.”
Chandler addressed talks of retirement after UFC 314, and while he didn`t commit to a UFC return date, he suggested he intends to return later in 2025. After waiting a long time for a fight with Conor McGregor, which didn`t happen last November, Chandler lost to Charles Oliveira at UFC 309 following a lengthy period of inactivity since UFC 281.
Pimblett Jokes About Hollywood and Continues McGregor Banter
As Pimblett`s popularity grows, so do opportunities outside the Octagon. After hinting at a possible movie career, Pimblett also teased McGregor, following his callout of McGregor in the post-fight press conference at UFC 314.
While McGregor hasn`t responded to Pimblett`s recent remarks, he did acknowledge Pimblett`s performance at UFC 314. However, McGregor reportedly lost a $500,000 bet on Chandler to defeat Pimblett.
McGregor has suggested retirement from MMA after being absent from the Octagon for over four years. His last fight in the UFC was when he injured his leg against Dustin Poirier at UFC 264.
McGregor was expected to return to the cage last summer against Chandler at UFC 303, but withdrew due to injury. As he considers a run for the Irish presidency, McGregor`s future in combat sports remains uncertain.
Rupert Hartwell