UFC 314 LIVE!
Paddy Pimblett secured the biggest win of his UFC career to date with a vicious and ruthless performance against Michael Chandler. Liverpool favourite 'Paddy The Baddy' dominated Saturday night’s co-main event in Miami and delivered a statement victory that will take him into the top 10 of the lightweight rankings and potentially provide a crucial stepping stone in his ambitions to earn a world title opportunity.
Chandler was busted open badly and immediately left the octagon for treatment on a nasty facial wound. That bout was the chief support act for Alexander Volkanovski vs Diego Lopes, a massive clash for the vacant men’s featherweight title which Volk won to claim back the belt he held for more than four years before losing it to Ilia Topuria. There was defeat in the long-awaited UFC debut of legendary four-time Bellator world champion Patricio Pitbull, who was outclassed by Mexico’s Yair Rodriguez.
Jean Silva continued his incredible form by submitting Bryce Mitchell, after Dominick Reyes opened the main card with a stunning knockout of Nikita Krylov. There were dominant wins too on the early prelim bill for Virna Jandiroba, Chase Hooper and Julian Erosa, plus a Dan Ige stoppage. Follow UFC 314 live below!
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Paddy Pimblett calls out top lightweight contenders after Michael Chandler destroyed
Pimblett rightly hits out at his haters in his post-fight interview, calling them a “gang of mushrooms”.
Asked who he wants next, he says any of the top four men at lightweight - calling out Charles Oliveira, Justin Gaethje, Dustin Poirier and “that little posh boy” and “sausage” Arman Tsarukyan.
He says he is coming for that world title shot, and it might not be too far away.
What a night for the Liverpool superstar.
Dominant Paddy Pimblett stops Michael Chandler in third round
There is blood everywhere from that awful wound on Chandler’s face.
Pimblett is relentless, sitting on top of his opponent now and thundering in spiteful strikes and elbows.
The referee has seen enough and steps in to wave it off!
Incredible! Total domination from Paddy The Baddy and he viciously eases to by far the biggest win of his career to date.
That No7 ranking in the lightweight division now beckons.
“What now?” he roars at the camera.
Staggering - he’s beaten Chandler up badly.
Chandler has exited the octagon immediately to have that awful wound seen to.
Where does he go from here?!
Michael Chandler vs Paddy Pimblett
A huge shot from Pimblett busts Chandler’s face wide open early in the third!
Wow. The blood is oozing out of a huge gash under his left eye.
Pimblett seizes the initiative with more strikes and now has him locked up again on the mat.
Chandler is in a world of trouble here.
Michael Chandler vs Paddy Pimblett
Brutal stuff from Paddy The Baddy as he has Chandler trapped in that body triangle, delivering more crushing strikes and elbows from behind.
Chandler is taking some big punishment before being saved by the buzzer.
A brilliant round for Pimblett. 2-0 up here?
He’s looking really good at the moment...
Michael Chandler vs Paddy Pimblett
Chandler scores another takedown with less than three minutes to go in the round, then slamming him down to the canvas for good measure.
But here’s Pimblett again with the powerful elbows.
Chandler has his back but Pimblett evades it so well and is now on top on the mat.
Pimblett is going for that left arm of Chandler’s that looks very vulnerable as he lies flat on his back near the fence.
Pimblett with the ground strikes now, Chandler manages to sit up but Pimblett has his back.
A storm of vicious elbows and ground strikes rain down from Pimblett, who has his back once more and locks in that body triangle.
Chandler is in pure survival mode at the moment. 30 seconds left in the round...
Michael Chandler vs Paddy Pimblett
Chandler is trying to be the aggressor early in the second round, but Pimblett jabs well repeatedly to back him up.
Pimblett lunges forward with a well-timed attack, striking and throwing out a couple of effective kicks.
Paddy with some nice combinations now, forcing Chandler back across the octagon.
Now Pimblett takes a painful kick that lands on the cup. He will need time to recover from that.
Michael Chandler vs Paddy Pimblett
A spicy end to an entertaining opening round as Chandler finds some success with counters but Pimblett finishes strongly.
First round shaded by The Baddy?
Michael Chandler vs Paddy Pimblett
Pimblett gets to his feet and is then lifted by Chandler, who drives in more shuddering blows.
Paddy is up against the fence and tries to lock in the submission with his long legs, but both men are now back on their feet and exchanging strikes and kicks in the middle of the octagon.
Pimblett is showing more confidence now as he kicks and punches, looking to make the most of his considerable height, size and reach advantage.
Michael Chandler vs Paddy Pimblett
Chandler twice rushes Pimblett in quick succession as they trade strikes at close range.
Chandler scores the first takedown of the fight, getting Pimblett’s back near the fence, controlling his right arm and thundering in some spiteful knees.
This is a tricky spot for Pimblett, but he gets to a knee and responds with some painful elbows.
Michael Chandler vs Paddy Pimblett
HERE WE GO!
Such a huge night for Paddy the Baddy.
He is massive in there compared to Chandler, throwing out a succession of early leg kicks.