Paddy Pimblett mauls Michael Chandler

MIAMI – Paddy Pimblett silenced many doubters.

The English star notched his biggest career win, defeating former Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler in dominant fashion.

Pimblett (22-4 MMA, 7-0 UFC) stopped Chandler (23-10 MMA, 2-5 UFC) with ground-and-pound in the co-main event of Saturday’s UFC 314 (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+), which takes place at Kaseya Center in Miami. The official stoppage came at the 3:07 mark of Round 3.

It was a career-best performance for Pimblett.

Chandler did have success early on, but it was only for a brief period.. He was able to close the distance, takedown Pimblett, and control him for a good chunk of the round. However, the fight in the final minute or so did develop on the feet, with Pimblett pressing the action and looking to attack.

After Round 1, things took a big turn. Pimblett dominated the action on the feet and on the ground. He connected shots and was also able to get back of Chandler, while doing a lot of damage with elbows.

The same momentum followed in Round 3, as Pimblett badly hurt Chandler and then took him down to the ground. From there, it was all downhill for Chandler. Pimblett landed nasty shots from top, and mauled Chandler for well over a minute, forcing the referee to stop the action.

Pimblett remains undefeated in the UFC with seven wins. This was also his fifth stoppage win in the promotion. After the fight, Pimblett called for a top contender fight at 155 pounds.

“Anyone in the top four, top five (is who I want next). I want that world title. … I want Dustin (Poirier), Justin (Gaethje), Charles (Oliveira) or the little posh boy Arman (Tsarukyan) – any of them four.”

On the other hand, Chandler, 38, now finds himself on a three-fight losing streak and 1-5 in his past six performances. This is worst career run.

Up-to-the-minute UFC 314 results include:

• Paddy Pimblett def. Michael Chandler via TKO (strikes) – Round 3, 3:07
• Yair Rodriguez def. Patricio Freire via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Jean Silva def. Bryce Mitchell via submission (ninja choke) – Round 2, 3:52
• Dominick Reyes def. Nikita Krylov via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 2:24
• Dan Ige def. Sean Woodson via TKO (punches) – Round 3,
• Virna Jandiroba def. Yan Xiaonan via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Chase Hooper def. Jim Miller via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
• Julian Erosa def. Darren Elkins via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 4:15
• Michal Oleksiejczuk def. Sedriques Dumas via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 2:49
• Su Mudaerji def. Mitch Raposo via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
• Marco Tulio def. Tresean Gore via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 3:16
• Nora Cornolle def. Hailey Cowan via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 1:52

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 314.