According to UFC legend Matt Brown, Michael Chandler faces immense pressure at UFC 314. As he prepares to fight Paddy Pimblett, who is ranked lower than him, Chandler is aiming to recover from two consecutive defeats.
Brown believes this fight is a critical, make-or-break moment for Chandler, especially given his UFC journey so far. Despite receiving performance bonuses in five of his six appearances and delivering three “Fight of the Night” performances, Chandler`s UFC record stands at 2-4. At 38, a loss to a relatively unproven fighter like Pimblett would be a significant setback.
“We try to avoid using dramatic terms, but this situation for Chandler truly feels like a do-or-die scenario,” Brown commented on The Fighter vs. The Writer podcast. He clarified, “Perhaps ‘die’ is too strong, but Chandler himself has stated his goal is to contend for the title or nothing. He`s not just fighting for a paycheck.”
Brown pointed out a key issue for Chandler: “Michael Chandler lacks a high-quality victory in the UFC. You could argue Dan Hooker, but how significant was that win at the time? Hooker has improved considerably since then, making it a more valuable win today. However, victories over Tony Ferguson are not considered high-quality wins.”
Brown is uncertain about the positive impact a win over Pimblett would have on Chandler`s career, but he is sure that a loss would be incredibly damaging.
While Chandler`s UFC record isn`t stellar, his four losses have been against top-tier competition: former champions Dustin Poirier, Justin Gaethje, and Charles Oliveira (twice). Pimblett, while potentially a future championship contender, is not currently on the same level as those fighters in terms of accomplishments.
Therefore, Brown emphasizes that Chandler must decisively defeat Pimblett. Chandler`s ambition since joining the UFC has been to become champion. Losing at UFC 314 would likely eliminate him from title contention for the foreseeable future, if not permanently.
“We can almost disregard Paddy Pimblett as the specific opponent. The crucial point is, you cannot lose to the No. 15 ranked fighter,” Brown stated. “With all due respect to Paddy, who is a good fighter and better than many initially thought. He has shown consistent improvement. I have been critical of Paddy in the past, regarding his weight fluctuations, some of his comments, and his public persona. However, he has consistently performed in the octagon.”
“It’s not necessarily about losing to Paddy Pimblett specifically, but losing to a fighter ranked around No. 15,” Brown clarified.
Brown admits he`s unsure if Chandler`s UFC achievements warrant his top 10 ranking. “I’m not sure how Michael Chandler is ranked in the top 10,” Brown confessed. “I respect Michael Chandler, and I`m not criticizing him, but typically fighters need wins to reach the top 10. Rankings can be subjective. Regardless, this fight against Chandler will reveal a lot about Paddy Pimblett, as it’s undoubtedly the toughest opponent he has faced.”
“If Paddy defeats Michael Chandler, it will be a massive boost for his career, likely leading to a main event opportunity next,” Brown predicted.
Regarding Chandler`s future if he loses to Pimblett, Brown struggles to see a clear path back to the top of the lightweight division, especially with rising contenders like Oliveira, Tsarukyan, and Topuria in the mix.
A loss would severely test Chandler’s commitment to his UFC career, and Brown wonders if Chandler might consider other career options outside of fighting.
“Losing to Pimblett would force Chandler to confront his ‘title or bust’ mentality, suggesting it might be ‘bust’,” Brown explained. “Fortunately for Michael Chandler, he has numerous options. Regardless of the fight outcome, he has a strong personal brand and is well-liked. He has the potential to be an excellent commentator, analyst, or podcaster. His communication skills are strong, and his brand remains valuable.”
“[Therefore,] if you lose to Paddy Pimblett, it’s time to seriously consider your next career move or path,” Brown concluded, highlighting the high stakes of Chandler`s upcoming fight.
