Prediction: Michael Chandler via TKO
Chandler’s career has been forged in wars against the elite. He’s been in there with championship-level fighters, pushed through fire, and delivered consistent chaos while showing durability, power, and elite-level athleticism that simply hasn’t been matched by anyone Pimblett has faced.
Paddy’s success so far has come against opponents who either allowed him to dictate the pace or lacked the tools to truly punish his defensive lapses. His chin is high, his hands drop after most exchanges, and while he’s shown heart and scrambling ability, he hasn’t been forced to survive sustained, explosive offensive flurries from someone with real power and killer instinct. Chandler brings that from the opening bell. He doesn’t fight slow or ease into a rhythm—he explodes forward with full confidence, and if he smells vulnerability, he turns it into a firefight immediately.
On the feet, Chandler’s power is on a different level than anything Pimblett’s ever dealt with. We’ve seen Chandler drop guys like Dan Hooker, Tony Ferguson, and even rock Gaethje—men known for their toughness. He also knows how to get inside fast, close distance, and unleash looping hooks and uppercuts that are designed to land while moving. That’s a major problem for Paddy, who doesn’t use angles well and often backs up in straight lines, leaving his chin exposed. Chandler’s style is tailor-made to exploit that kind of defense.
Chandler’s experience, explosiveness, and proven toughness make him the side with real value. He’s been through the fire with the division’s best, while Pimblett’s still yet to prove he belongs on that level. Unless Chandler completely deviates from his game plan, he should be able to overwhelm Paddy on the feet and put him away before the fight ever hits deeper waters.