Paddy Pimblett slams Michael Chandler’s in-cage behavior before UFC 314 showdown

As the co-main event of UFC 314 looms, Paddy Pimblett isn’t just preparing for a battle of skills—he’s bracing for a possible rule-bending war. The Liverpool lightweight is set to face former Bellator champion Michael Chandler this Saturday at the Kaseya Center, and while he respects Chandler as a person outside the octagon, Pimblett has concerns about what might unfold once the cage door shuts. With accusations still fresh from Chandler’s last bout, Pimblett plans to keep a close eye on more than just punches and kicks.

Despite having nothing but pleasant run-ins with Michael Chandler during fight week, Pimblett isn’t naïve about what could happen inside the octagon. The 29-year-old Brit had no issue calling out Chandler’s cage behavior during UFC 314 media day.
“He’s the nicest man in the world outside the cage, and when he gets in there he’s a dirty bastard, isn’t he?” Pimblett said to reporters, including MMA Junkie. “I always say if you’re not cheating, you’re not trying, so I understand what he’s trying to do. He wants to win. That’s the main thing when it comes to this game, but yeah, I probably will mention the referee in the back like, ‘If he’s going to grab my gloves, I’m going to say it. If he tries to poke me in the eye and stuff like that.’”

The concern isn’t coming out of nowhere. In Chandler’s most recent appearance—his rematch with Charles Oliveira at UFC 309—the American was criticized for multiple questionable moves, including an eye poke and repeated punches to the back of Oliveira’s head.
Pimblett made it clear he doesn’t want a repeat of what happened in that fight and hopes officiating is on point this weekend.
“That one against Charles when he punched him in the back of the head about nine times or something and ref, I hope that’s not my referee. Just put it that way,” Pimblett said. “I hope I get a good ref like Goddard or Herzog. I don’t want to have a ref that’s just going to let me get rabbit punched in the back of the head consistently.”
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With a 6-0 UFC record and rising star status, Paddy Pimblett is walking into the biggest test of his career—both physically and mentally. As fans gear up for fireworks in Miami, Pimblett is focused not just on the fight, but on making sure it’s fought fair.