Sean O’Malley has credited Paddy Pimblett for his sharpness and skill in his UFC 314 prediction.
Pimblett, 30, returns to the Octagon next weekend to fight Michael Chandler in Miami, Florida for the co-main event of UFC 314.
Chandler has locked horns with the best fighters in the world, leading several MMA fans to view the contest as the Liverpudlian’s toughest test yet.
The American challenged Charles Oliveira for the lightweight title in 2021, and has met top contenders Justin Gaethje and Dustin Poirier since.
Chandler had a fight booked with Conor McGregor last June, and although the fight was cancelled after the Irishman injured his toe, he remains persistent on eventually getting it over the line.
O’Malley, meanwhile, is currently in training camp for his bantamweight title rematch with Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 316.
When discussing his second meeting with the Georgian, O’Malley touched on Pimblett’s imminent encounter with Chandler.
“Paddy versus Michael Chandler is such an interesting fight,” the 29-year-old said.
“Michael Chandler is such a gangster for taking that fight. It’s still a big win if he beats Paddy, maybe not in some people’s eyes, but Paddy is f****** skilled.
“What he did to Bobby Green was super…it’s a big fight. Michael Chandler is a beast for taking that fight, Paddy’s a beast.
“What [Pimblett] wants to do is climb the rankings. I think that fight makes so much sense.”
Pimblett submitted Bobby Green during his last appearance at UFC Manchester in July, which marked his sixth straight win in Dana White’s promotion since debuting in September 2021.
Chandler, 38, has won just one of his last five fights, knocking out Tony Ferguson at UFC 274 in May 2022.
Despite O’Malley’s praise of the ‘The Baddy’, and the difference in records, ‘Suga’ sat on the fence when it came to picking a winner for the UFC 314 co-main event.
“I don’t know who wins either,” he added. “I feel like it’s gonna be very competitive.”
O’Malley’s coach Tim Welche agreed and recognised the challenge Pimblett has on his hands come April 13.
He said: “[Pimblett] could handle it fine, but he’s never been in there with someone that explosive and that athletic.”
O’Malley added: “He’s very sharp. He’s very skilled and I’m excited for that fight.”
Both men then came to the conclusion that should Pimblett get through Chandler he is just one victory away from a UFC title shot.
Pimblett is currently the No.12 ranked UFC lightweight, but would enter the top 10 through a victory with Chandler, who is placed five spots above him.
The 30-year-old, of course, felt the same way when he mapped out his world title plans last month.
“Probably only two fights this year,” Pimblett told JNMEDIA, speaking on his future after the Miami fight.
“Beat Michael Chandler, fight in Abu Dhabi in October, beat someone like Charles [Oliveira] and then fight for the belt next year.”
UFC 314 is headlined by Alexander Volkanovski and Diego Lopes, who will fight it out for the featherweight title that was vacated by Ilia Topuria in February.
Elsewhere on the Miami card, Bryce Mitchell takes on Jean Silva, and Patricio ‘Pitbull’ Freire makes his promotional debut against Yair Rodriguez.
The UFC is back this weekend as Mancunian Lerone Murphy takes on Josh Emmett in the main event of UFC Vegas 105, while Durham man Davey Grant also features on the card.
Murphy told talkSPORT.com exclusively that is eyeing up a title shot against Volkanovski if he defeats Emmett.
