March 12, 2025 5:10 pm ET
Beneil Dariush offers Paddy Pimblett the bottom benefit over Michael Chandler at UFC 314.
Pimblett (22-3 MMA, 6-0 UFC) takes on former UFC title challenger Chandler (23-9 MMA, 2-4 UFC) in a five-round light-weight co-main occasion April 12 at Kaseya Heart in Miami (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN/Disney+, ESPN+).
Dariush sees Chandler as Pimblett’s excellent ticket to the higher echelon of light-weight.
“I believe for Paddy, it’s excellent,” Dariush advised MMA Junkie. “You could possibly be a fan of Chandler, no matter, you must admit he’s 2-4 within the UFC. Simply being sincere, I don’t assume he’s on his approach to the highest. He’s on a downward slope, so it’s an ideal time for Paddy to form of meet him there, and I believe Paddy has an excellent probability of beating him.”
Dariush was stunned with Chandler’s most up-to-date efficiency the place he lost to Charles Oliveira in their rematch at UFC 309. Chandler was taken down 5 instances and managed for nearly quarter-hour en path to a unanimous determination loss.
“Charles was in a position to get loads of takedowns on Chandler, which I’m being sincere with you: I didn’t assume that was going to occur,” Dariush continued. “I assumed possibly one or two takedowns, however to have the ability to take him down each spherical, that was very stunning to me. So I believe Paddy has an ideal probability. I believe the struggle will play out so much standing, but when Paddy gauges within the grappling, he’ll even have numerous success.
“For no matter purpose, Chandler is wrestling lower than he used to, and wrestling isn’t like placing the place you would simply hit some mitts and be again in form for it. Wrestling, you bought to drill, drill, drill, and it’s ugly, and it’s exhausting. As you become old, it turns into more durable and more durable to do this. He’s not wrestling as a lot, and that provides a very massive alternative for Paddy to win that struggle.”
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