Paddy Pimblett’s Star Rises: What’s Next After Dominating Michael Chandler?
The Baddy is officially a problem in the UFC’s lightweight division. Liverpool’s own Paddy Pimblett just scored the biggest win of his career, dismantling former title challenger Michael Chandler with a third-round TKO that has the MMA world buzzing.
If you haven’t seen the fight yet, stop what you’re doing. Pimblett didn’t just win – he made a statement that echoed throughout the lightweight division.
The Breakthrough Performance Nobody Saw Coming
I’ll be honest – I didn’t see this coming. Not like this. When the UFC matched Pimblett against Chandler, many of us thought they were feeding the blonde Scouser to the wolves too early. Chandler was supposed to be the veteran who would expose the holes in Paddy’s game.
Instead, we witnessed a coming-of-age moment. Pimblett controlled the action, survived Chandler’s explosive bursts, and ultimately broke him with relentless pressure that culminated in that third-round finish.
“I told everyone I’d do this,” Pimblett shouted in his post-fight interview. “You all doubted me. Where are the doubters now?”
The win catapulted Paddy into the top 10 of the UFC’s most stacked division – a place many critics never thought he’d reach.
From Hype Train to Legitimate Contender
Let’s be real about something: Paddy “The Baddy” has been one of the most polarizing figures in MMA since signing with the UFC. The blonde bowl cut, the outspoken personality, the dramatic weight fluctuations between fights – he’s been easy to dismiss as more style than substance.
His early UFC opponents didn’t exactly quiet the skeptics. Luigi Vendramini, Kazula Vargas, Jordan Leavitt, and Jared Gordon provided wins but left plenty of questions about whether Pimblett could hang with the elite.
The Chandler fight answered those questions with an exclamation point.
Breaking Down The Victory
What impressed me most wasn’t just that Paddy won – it was how he won. He showed:
- Surprising strength in the clinch against a powerful wrestler
- Composed striking that kept Chandler guessing
- Cardio that allowed him to push the pace as Chandler faded
- Fight IQ to adjust his approach as the contest evolved
This wasn’t just Paddy being scrappy and surviving. This was Paddy showing layers to his game that many (myself included) didn’t know existed.
What’s Next for The Baddy?
Now ranked in the lightweight top 10, Pimblett finds himself in a division filled with killers. The question isn’t whether he belongs anymore – it’s how high he can climb.
| Potential Next Opponents | Current Ranking | Match-up Appeal |
|---|---|---|
| Dan Hooker | #8 | Striking war with similar frame |
| Beneil Dariush | #7 | Grappling challenge |
| Mateusz Gamrot | #6 | Technical battle |
The UFC has a golden ticket with Pimblett. He’s got the personality, the fighting style fans love, and now the legitimacy of a top-10 ranking. The promotion will likely give him another showcase fight that could propel him toward title contention.
The Lightweight Title Picture
Let’s pump the brakes a bit before we start talking about Pimblett challenging Islam Makhachev. The lightweight division remains the UFC’s deepest, and several fighters stand between Paddy and gold.
With Dustin Poirier, Justin Gaethje, Charles Oliveira, and Arman Tsarukyan all ahead of him, Pimblett likely needs at least two more big wins before entering the title conversation.
But here’s what makes this story so compelling: six months ago, nobody would have even mentioned Pimblett and “title shot” in the same sentence. Now? It’s not just possible – it feels inevitable if he continues this trajectory.
The Drawing Power Factor
Let’s not ignore the business side of things. Pimblett is already one of the UFC’s biggest draws despite not headlining a major event yet. His social media numbers are off the charts, and his merchandise sells like crazy.
The UFC knows what they have – a charismatic star who can fight. That combination might accelerate his path to a title shot faster than the traditional route.
From Doubted to Dangerous
I’ve covered this sport for years, and fighters like Pimblett are rare. He’s got that special something that makes casual fans tune in and hardcore fans pay attention. Now he’s backed it up with a performance that silenced even his harshest critics.
The lightweight division is officially on notice. The Baddy isn’t just coming – he’s arrived.
What do you think about Paddy’s performance against Chandler? Drop a comment below with who you want to see him fight next!
Source: Image from USA Today