The UFC’s top scouser, Paddy Pimblett, would make a bold claim during the UFC 314 post-fight press conference after dominating and vanquishing the former Bellator Lightweight champion Michael Chandler. He would confidently and boldly proclaim his fight IQ as one of the best in all of MMA after his excellent performance, but Pimblett would ground himself and give credit to the current heavyweight champion Jon Jones.
I think I’ve got the best fight IQ in the game—other than Jon Jones. People can laugh all they want, but my decisions in there prove it. I’ve learned to be smarter and more calculated, and it’s paying off.”
Pimblett knows he’s a bit of a controversial figure due to his charisma and favorable promotion from the UFC. However, as his career progresses, he has shown a great ability to improve his skills and make correct decisions in crucial moments.
Paddy Pimblett may have just become underrated.
Paddy Pimblett gets a lot of ire from the MMA community as many have labeled him a “protected fraud” due to his remarkably controversial win over Jared Gordon and his previous performances where he seemed to underperform even in victory. However, now with a big win over a former champion in Chandler, who despite being 39 years old is still an athletic freak with decent skills and one-punch knockout power.
Piblett’s total shutout and beatdown over Michael Chandler is still an impressive feat, as it showed not just his own skill, finishing ability, size, and, of course, athleticism with his variety of kicking attacks. But a new development in Paddy Pimblett’s fighting mind is that he will have to kick into high gear, as his next stop is the top five of the lightweight rankings.
