Paddy Pimblett loves the idea of beating Michael Chandler at UFC 314 and stealing his fight with Conor McGregor.

UFC lightweight Michael Chandler has had time to reflect upon his career over the past few years, a time in his life that was supposed to be about getting the most lucrative payday of his MMA career – a fight against ex-TUF 31 coach and former UFC two-division Champion Conor McGregor.

UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler is becoming less convinced that Conor McGregor will ever return to the Octagon.

Michael Chandler predicts an early KO in his fight against Paddy Pimblett 👀 “It’s a bad matchup stylistically for [Paddy]… I’m gonna land a right hand or a left hook and put his lights out within the first couple rounds.” 🎥 @espnmma #UFC314 pic.twitter.com/XoQZoHXEUx

UFC lightweight contender Michael Chandler wouldn't bet on his rival Conor McGregor fighting in the cage again.

Chandler (23-9 MMA, 2-4 UFC) will look to rebound after back-to-back losses to Dustin Poirier and Charles Oliveira. The former UFC title challenger has lost four of his past five, and hasn’t gotten his hand raised since a front kick knockout of Tony Ferguson at UFC 274.

‘The Baddy’ debuted to immediate popularity in the UFC in 2021, dispatching Luigi Vendramini by knockout in the first round. After a long six-fight UFC winning streak, including dominant wins over veterans Tony Ferguson and King Green, Pimblett finally gets his big break against Chandler in the co-main spot of UFC 314.