“I don’t get why you’d retire when you still look good… but he must be an idiot. I think I beat Dustin Poirier.” With that cutting remark, UFC lightweight contender Paddy Pimblett fired a bold shot at veteran Dustin Poirier, who seems to be edging closer to retirement. The Englishman has quickly become one of the promotion’s most outspoken figures, adopting a Deadpool-style “Merc with a mouth” persona that sees him aim at just about anyone—rookie or veteran alike.
One of his most infamous rivalries came against featherweight champion Ilia Topuria, whom the Englishman famously dubbed a “sanitizer boy”. And despite a nine-month layoff, the Liverpudlian’s fiery attitude hasn’t faded a bit. Now ranked #12, Paddy Pimblett is set to return at UFC 314 in the co-main event, where he’ll face off against former Bellator champ and UFC standout Michael Chandler at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. To hype the bout, the two recently engaged in a virtual face-off, a clip of which ‘Baddy’ shared on Instagram.
During the interview, Paddy Pimblett made it clear he’s gunning for a submission win. Michael Chandler, ever the showman, raised his fists to the camera and replied: “Look at the size of these paws.” Not missing a beat, the Englishman lifted his own battle-worn hands—clearly bearing the marks of intense sparring—and fired back with a caption that read: “The size of them hands aren’t going to help you next week, brother.”
Pimblett’s rise through the UFC ranks has been nothing short of electrifying. With an undefeated record in the Octagon and an ever-growing fan base, he’s quickly becoming one of the lightweight division’s most talked-about future title contenders. A former Cage Warriors featherweight champion, Paddy has carried his momentum seamlessly into the UFC spotlight. His most recent outing saw him score a clinical submission win over Bobby Green in front of a roaring home crowd, further cementing his status as a legitimate threat in the division.
On the flip side, Michael Chandler—once one of the most entertaining fighters at 155 pounds—has been mostly inactive, waiting on a long-promised fight with Conor McGregor. That bout never materialized, leaving the Englishman sidelined for over two years. He finally returned at UFC 309, stepping in against former champ Charles Oliveira. Despite a gutsy performance, ‘Iron’ came up short, losing by decision. The loss brought his recent UFC record to 1–4 in his last five fights. Still, when it comes to action-packed matchups, ‘Iron’ is rarely counted out.
Dustin Poirier gives his honest take on Paddy Pimblett vs. Michael Chandler
The co-main event of UFC 314 between Michael Chandler and Paddy Pimblett isn’t just another bout—it’s a showdown of seasoned grit versus youthful fire. And even though Dustin Poirier isn’t exactly a fan of ‘Iron’, he’s been around long enough to respect experience when it matters most. The American’s UFC journey has been a rollercoaster, but his legacy speaks for itself. From 2010 to 2020, the Missouri native dominated Bellator’s lightweight division—becoming a three-time champion and winning the Season Four Lightweight Tournament.
His resume is stacked, and fighters like Poirier know exactly what he’s capable of when the lights are brightest. Paddy Pimblett, on the other hand, is the new blood injecting fresh energy into the division. After lighting up the European scene, the charismatic Brit stormed into the UFC spotlight with swagger and a flawless promotional record. But when it comes to picking a winner, Poirier is siding with experience over hype.
Taking to X, Dustin Poirier didn’t mince words: “Even though he’s a b—h Chandler all day. Go heavy on the money.” Most rivalries fade with time, but the animosity between Poirier and Chandler still simmers. It’s been over two years since they shared the Octagon, yet the tension lingers—and ‘The Diamond’s prediction proves that some grudges never die.
Now it’s your turn—who you got in this UFC 314 showdown? Will experience win out with Chandler, or will Paddy ride the hype train to another W? Drop your predictions below
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