Michael Chandler believes Paddy Pimblett has potential to claim UFC lightweight championship.
** Cashin' In at UFC 314 **
Paddy Pimblett, the gritty British lightweight, edged closer to a title shot after a third-round smackdown of former challenger Michael Chandler. Chandler, reflecting on the bout, acknowledges Pimblett's abilities yet stops short of crediting him as an elite fighter. As quoted by The Schmo, Chandler muses:
"He ain't got no crazy skills or superhuman strength, but he's solid in every aspect and almost got game in every area. He's got a lengthy reach and makes good use of it, with a knack for sharp legwork. I had a hard time finding my footing, credit to his performance or just his usual form – either way, I ended up with a knee in the kisser. Sometimes fights don’t go as planned."
As for himself, the 39-year-old Chandler has taken a break following his third consecutive defeat. Prior setbacks came at the hands of Charles Oliveira and Dustin Poirier.
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🕒 What's Next for the Chandler Express?
After a rough streak, Chandler has devised a strategy for his comeback. Speaking at a recent press event in NYC, Chandler mentioned he might not step into the Octagon until late 2025 or early 2026. Hinting at a potential return, he hinted at a January 2026 showdown with Conor McGregor. To stoke the flames, Chandler teased their long-delayed bout by posting "Conor!!!!! 1/24/26" on social media, reviving discussions of a once-scheduled but ultimately scrapped matchup, thwarted by McGregor's injury[3][5].
Beyond the MMA realm, Chandler is also sniffing around the idea of a professional wrestling career. In ongoing talks with WWE executive Paul “Triple H” Levesque, he's keeping his options open, eyeing a switch to sports entertainment once his MMA days are done[2][4].
In essence, Chandler is aiming for a UFC resurgence around early 2026, possibly with McGregor in tow. Meanwhile, he's considering a life off the mat and on the wrestling mat with perhaps WWE as his new stomping ground[1][2][3][4][5].
Bookmakers are considering Michael Chandler's comeback in mixed-martial-arts, with potential matches against prominent figures like Conor McGregor. Meanwhile, Chandler has shown interest in transitioning to professional wrestling after his MMA career, with discussions ongoing with WWE executive Paul Levesque.
