Paddy Pimblett has sent out a clear and somewhat gruesome signal to Michael Chandler, implying severe consequences if he attempts at any misconduct during their upcoming bout. Chandler’s UFC career path has frequently been shadowed by allegations of unfair tactics. An imminent confrontation between Pimblett and Chandler is set to take place at the UFC 314 event.
Chandler has past instances of foul play. Dusting Poirier, an eminent American UFC fighter, berated him for his unsportsmanlike conduct in their November 2022 duel, which was unanimously chosen as the Fight of the Night. Chandler was rebuked for ‘fish hooking’ Poirier and manipulating his glove during their contentious fight.
Moreover, accusations emerged around Chandler when he was accused of landing a series of illegal punches to the head’s sensitive area against Charles Oliveira in a rematch that occurred half a year ago. Oliveira was subjected to frequent hits at the back of his head, raising questions and concerns around Chandler’s sportsmanship.
Pimblett is gearing up to stand against Chandler in designated co-main event of UFC 314 on April 13. In light of Chandler’s controversial UFC history, Pimblett has contrived an unconventional plan, reminiscent of Mike Tyson’s infamous tactics should he witness any illegal maneuvers from ‘Iron’.
‘Not cheating amounts to not trying, right?’ suggests the witty Pimblett. ‘The responsibility lies majorly on the referee. The blows that Chandler rained on the back of Oliveira’s head… it’s solely because Oliveira needs to move, or it’s because the referee needs to interfere more effectively.’
Pimblett further illustrates, ‘In the recent match I saw, he constantly aimed for the back of the head with nearly a dozen relentless hammer-fist strikes… and he’s fully aware of his actions. It’s up to the referee to be more proactive. If I were in Oliveira’s shoes, I wouldn’t stay mum. I would flat out yell, ‘Referee!’, you know what I’m saying?’
Pimblett appears disappointed with the match conduct, expressing, ‘It was questionable refereeing on that occasion. And yes, I’m aware of his bout with Poirier where Poirier testified him behaving inappropriately to get the choke and similar stuff.’
Pimblett’s grim resolve illuminates when he claims, ‘I won’t stand for any foul play. If I happen to face anything resembling Poirier’s situation, I pledge to retaliate by biting his finger to the point it almost severs, with the sheer force of my teeth.’ According to him, it’s a matter of principle.
His audacious declaration signifies Pimblett’s grim resolve, ‘*I’d always side on, if you’re not pushing the boundaries, you’re not pushing hard enough!*’ This shows Pimblett’s readiness to maintain the spirit of the sport, even if it means getting his hands dirty.
One cannot forget the famous 1997 rematch between Tyson and Evander Holyfield, where Tyson resorted to biting off a piece of Holyfield’s ear, creating a sensation globally.
This notorious incident witnessed Tyson tear away a one-inch piece of cartilage from the tip of Holyfield’s ear, further deepening the sensation by spitting it out onto the fighting canvas. The act resulted in Tyson’s immediate disqualification from the match.
Drawing parallels with ‘Iron Mike’s’ scandalous act, Pimblett seems to be ready for everything Chandler could potentially throw at him and has claimed that he would go to similar extremes to maintain fairness in his match.
With the upcoming fight between Chandler and Pimblett, the entire UFC fanbase is buzzing with anticipation. Given their strong personalities and unparalleled commitment to their sport, this match promises to be a thrilling display of exceptional sporting conduct.
Pimblett’s fierce declaration serves as a stern warning to Chandler, ensuring that any attempts at bending the rules would be met with a Tyson-style deterrent. While his threats may be daunting, they underline his dedication and desire to make the fight an honest one.
As the countdown to UFC 314 begins and the tension between Chandler and Pimblett mounts, fans around the globe wait with bated breath to see if Pimblett’s threats materialise and how far the fighters will go to claim victory.