March 12, 2025 5: 10 pm ET
Beneil Dariush gives Paddy Pimblett the ground advantage 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 lightweight co-main event April 12 at Kaseya Center in Miami (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN/Disney+, ESPN+).
Dariush sees Chandler as Pimblett’s perfect ticket to the upper echelon of lightweight.
“I think for Paddy, it’s perfect,” Dariush told MMA Junkie. “You could be a fan of Chandler, whatever, you have to admit he’s 2-4 in the UFC. Just being honest, I don’t think he’s on his way to the top. He’s on a downward slope, so it’s a perfect time for Paddy to kind of meet him there, and I think Paddy has a very good chance of beating him.”
Dariush was surprised with Chandler’s most recent performance where he lost to Charles Oliveira in their rematch at UFC 309. Chandler was ta