Paddy Pimblett completely liked Michael Chandler’s speedy response to their highly-anticipated UFC 314 struggle.
Pimblett is about for the largest take a look at of his profession at UFC 314 on April 12 when he takes on Chandler in a five-round co-main occasion.
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The Miami card is headlined by Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes who will lock horns for the vacated featherweight belt.
Ilia Topuria gave up his 145-pound title to maneuver up and struggle light-weight champion Islam Makhachev, though he may tackle Dustin Poirier to cement his title within the division first.
Chandler was meant to struggle Conor McGregor at UFC 303 in June final 12 months, however the latter withdrew after injuring his toe in sparring.
This led to Chandler preventing Charles Oliveira as an alternative in June, throughout a interval when Pimblett submitted King Inexperienced at UFC Manchester in each males’s final struggle thus far.
Chandler launched a video in response to the struggle with Pimblett on Thursday as he was seen shadow boxing sporting a wig that resembled his opponent’s model.
The brief Instagram clip additionally performs the well-known ‘You’ll By no means Stroll Alone’ music, which is related to Pimblett’s favorite soccer membership, Liverpool.
“Sure Mike, love this lad,” Pimblett stated in response. “See you on the prime brother.”
Chandler replied: “Stroll ons and scousers…see you in April.”
UFC stars Bo Nickal and Derek Brunson additionally reacted to the video, laughing at Chandler’s response.
In a extra detailed response to the bout, Chandler expressed his respect for Pimblett, however claimed the Liverpudlian will ‘run right into a buzzsaw’ on April 12.
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“On this sport issues transfer very quick,” Chandler stated, explaining how the struggle got here into fruition.
“I used to be on trip final week, acquired a name that stated: ‘Hey, what do you consider preventing Paddy Pimblett in April?’
“And I stated: ‘Effectively, Hunter [Campbell] (UFC Chief Enterprise Officer). April’s solely eight weeks away and I wish to put down not less than 4 weeks of coaching, earlier than I’m going into an eight week camp.
“Let me give it some thought. Subsequent day, flew to Vegas, sat down with him in his workplace. We talked by way of all the things and we made the choice (to struggle Pimblett).
“As a result of an imperfect plan carried out now could be higher than an ideal plan carried out months from now and on this sport issues transfer quick.”
Chandler went by way of hell and excessive water in a Combat of the Evening bout with Oliveira at UFC 309, however fell to a unanimous resolution defeat.
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He has fought among the finest UFC light-weight, together with Poirier and Tony Ferguson, who Pimblett additionally has a victory over.
“There’s a whole lot of stuff occurring with the division,” Chandler added. “A giant summer time for the light-weight division and after the final struggle, some of the disappointing losses of my profession, I wished to get proper again on the horse and proper again within the octagon.
“So right here we go. I just like the matchup – love the match up truly. I respect Paddy, I feel Paddy’s a talented fighter.
“I nonetheless assume he’s nonetheless acquired a shiny future however he’s gonna run right into a buzzsaw named Michael Chandler on April 12.
“As all the time I would be the most entertaining man that steps contained in the octagon that evening. I’ll have everyone on their toes.
“I’ll have everyone on the sting of their seat, and in typical chandler trend we’re going on the market with one purpose in thoughts and that’s to separate our opponent from consciousness.
“So I can’t wait…the following eight weeks we’re getting after it.”
Elsewhere at UFC 314, Yair Rodriguez takes on ex-Bellator two-division champion Patricio ‘Pitbull’ Freire, who’s making his UFC debut, in a featherweight conflict.
Geoff Neal faces Carlos Prates at 170 lbs and Nikita Krylov will struggle Dominick Reyes.