“These days, especially as he’s gotten older and deeper into his career—32 fights in—he’s moved away from wrestling. He’s not really going for takedowns anymore,” said UFC interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall, breaking down Michael Chandler’s evolving fight style. “Now, it’s mostly wide hooks, overhands, uppercuts, and kicks.” And whether he realized it or not, the Englishman might have just pointed out a vulnerability in the former 3x Bellator lightweight champion’s armor. Since debuting in the UFC at the age of 34, his run hasn’t exactly mirrored the dominance he showed in Bellator.

Sure, he made an explosive entrance by knocking out Dan Hooker, and who could forget that vicious front kick that dropped Tony Ferguson? But the numbers don’t lie—the American is 1-4 in his last five UFC bouts. To make matters worse, the last two years of his career were pretty much put on ice while waiting for a fight with Conor McGregor that never materialized. Now, after spending five months on the sidelines since his last outing at UFC 309, Chandler is set to make his long-awaited return at UFC 314—this time against the younger and more energized Paddy Pimblett in the co-main event.

Surprisingly, it’s the Brit who enters the cage as the fan favorite, while the battle-tested Chandler finds himself in the underdog role. Despite his wealth of experience and highlight-reel finishes, many are questioning whether ‘Iron’ can still deliver at the highest level. Still, one thing remains undeniable—Chandler’s explosive power and world-class athleticism. These were exactly the qualities highlighted by Justin Gaethje during a recent conversation with The Schmo. When asked about Pimblett’s key to victory, Gaethje didn’t hesitate to offer a sharp tactical breakdown:

“Three rounds? Yeah, I mean, I think… um, try to initiate the grappling early and get him tired. You know, so that way in the end of round two and all of round three, you can, you know, get to the grappling. He’s got very good grappling and very good submissions. So obviously, Chad needs to avoid that. But I think—get him tired. You know, get in a couple scrambles, let him take you down a couple times, and trust in your ability to not get submitted, get back up, and fight for three rounds.”

On one side, there’s Michael Chandler—a once-feared contender who now appears to be on the back end of his career. On the other, Paddy Pimblett is rising fast through the UFC ranks. While the UFC hasn’t yet tested Paddy against the division’s elite, he has convincingly overcome every challenge. His latest win over Bobby Green was particularly impressive, as it highlighted his evolved grappling and growing fight IQ.

Now, with a high-profile bout against ‘Iron’ on the horizon, the Liverpudlian isn’t just chasing another win—he’s aiming to crack the top 10 and position himself for a title shot by 2026. But what’s sparked this laser focus from ‘The Baddy’? Let’s take a deeper look.

What is Paddy Pimblett’s motivation ahead of his war with Michael Chandler at UFC 314?

“A win gets me to rank seven—that’s the main thing. Beat Michael, then someone in the top five, and next year I’ll be fighting for the title,” Paddy Pimblett declared, signaling his readiness for a relentless climb toward UFC gold. With the lightweight belt in sight—a target for fighters across the division, including Ilia Topuria—’The Baddy’ knows the road ahead won’t be easy. The competition is fierce, the stakes higher than ever. But the verbose Liverpudlian appears more focused than ever, with his eyes firmly set on the top.

So what sparked this transformation? Why the sudden shift in intensity and long-term planning? While fans may not fully see it, those close to Paddy Pimblett know exactly what’s driving him—fatherhood. Since becoming a dad to twin daughters, Betsy and Margot, in April last year, the Brit’s priorities have shifted in a big way.

In a candid chat with BBC Sport, he opened up about how it’s changed his mindset: “It’s given me more motivation. I’m training harder than I’ve ever trained because they’re always in the back of my mind. I need to look after them for the rest of my life. I need to put food on the table. So yeah, it’s changed me. Everyone close to me sees it—and I know they’re not lying.”

With that kind of focus fueling fighters, UFC 314 is shaping up to deliver some unforgettable moments. Shifting gears to the co-main event—what’s your take on the long-awaited clash between Michael Chandler and Paddy Pimblett? When these two finally throw down inside the Octagon, who walks away with the win? Let us know your predictions in the comments!