Rising lightweight star Paddy Pimblett put on the best performance of his career in the UFC 314 co-main event on April 12 in Miami, Florida.
“The Baddy” dismantled former title challenger Michael Chandler in the fight card’s co-main event at Kaseya Center winning via TKO in the third round. It was the biggest win over Pimblett’s career and moved the 30-year old Brit into the Top 10 rankings.
On Monday, Pimblett posted a respectful and classy message to Chandler on his Instagram account.
“It was an absolute pleasure to share the cage with such a legend of the sport in @mikechandlermma nothing but respect for him before the fight and even more after we fought,” Pimblett wrote.
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For Chandler, the UFC 314 loss to Pimblett was his third loss in a row. In fact, “Iron” has gone 1-5 in his last six fights. Four of those losses were to former champions or interim titleholders: Charles Oliveira (twice), Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje.
The loss to Pimblett stands out because Pimblett was ranked outside of the Top 10 heading into the fight. While he’s ranked No. 8 now, he was ranked No. 12 when he made the walk to the octagon against Chandler. It was the first time Chandler was defeated by someone not ranked in the Top 3 of the division.
