MIAMI – Michael Chandler faced his third consecutive defeat at UFC 314.
Chandler, with a record of 23-10 in MMA (2-5 in the UFC), was stopped by Paddy Pimblett (23-3 MMA, 7-0 UFC) via a third-round TKO on Saturday at Kaseya Center. The former Bellator champion and UFC title challenger has now lost five out of his last six fights.
Despite Chandler`s difficult situation, UFC CEO Dana White had high praise for him.
“He’s always in exciting fights,” White mentioned at the UFC 314 post-fight press conference. “Tonight was a significant night for Paddy Pimblett. People have been doubting Paddy Pimblett in every fight, yet he remains undefeated in the UFC. But Chandler is like our Arturo Gatti. Every time he competes, you know it’s going to be a great fight, a war, and the outcome is always uncertain.”
Before the loss to Pimblett, Chandler had earned four consecutive bonuses, including a Fight of the Year award for his bout against Justin Gaethje. However, this defeat to Pimblett is expected to push Chandler further down the UFC lightweight rankings, as he hasn`t won a fight since his knockout victory over Tony Ferguson in 2022.
