Michael Chandler wants Justin Gaethje to defy the odds.
Gaethje (26-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) takes on Paddy Pimblett (23-3 MMA, 7-0 UFC) for the interim lightweight title in the UFC 324 main event on Jan. 24 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas (Paramount+).
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Chandler (23-10 MMA, 2-5 UFC) fell short in a Fight of the Year war against Gaethje in November 2021, and his most recent loss came in a TKO to Pimblett at UFC 314. Not only did Chandler predict that Gaethje beats Pimblett, but he sees “The Highlight” winning the title unification bout against lightweight champion Ilia Topuria.
“More skilled, more experienced, I think better fighter all around, Justin Gaethje. But Paddy Pimblett is a lot better than people think he is,” Chandler told ESPN MMA. “Because of his haircut and the way he talks and the strength of schedule, people don’t give him a lot of credit. But when I fought him in April in Miami, I’m not going to say I was surprised because I was expecting the best version of Paddy, but he’s better than a lot of people give him credit for.
“He’s got long reach, good kicks, pretty darn patient and composed in there. But Gaethje is a whole different animal. So, if I had to lean one direction, I’d go Justin Gaethje, interim champion, and then he beats Ilia Topuria later on this year.”
Chandler admits that picking Gaethje over undefeated Topuria is a bold claim.
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“Eh, maybe – very tough one,” Chandler said. “I’m a Gaethje guy, but I’ve also been on record saying Ilia Topuria is the most skilled fighter in the UFC that we have on the planet right now. If you’re rooting for a guy who’s been at it forever, you’re rooting for a guy who you want to see get gold in the end, it’s Justin Gaethje all day.”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Michael Chandler has high hopes for Justin Gaethje’s UFC title pursuit
