Israel Adesanya is backing Michael Chandler to beat Paddy Pimblett at UFC 314.
The former UFC middleweight champion believes it’s ‘impossible’ Chandler doesn’t catch Pimblett off guard in the first round to secure an early knockout.
Chandler and Pimblett will lock horns in the co-main event of UFC 314GettyLiverpool’s Pimblett faces the toughest test of his career this weekend in Miami as he takes on No.7-ranked lightweight Chandler, 38, at UFC 314.
The 30-year-old knows this fight could have huge repercussions on his future world title dreams, with victory meaning he may only be one fight away from a UFC lightweight title shot against current champion Islam Makhachev.
A win could also tee up a fight with Conor McGregor further down the line, after the latter revealed he will have a keen eye on proceedings in Miami.
With so much on the line, Adesanya was torn with his predictions for the fight, as he originally chose Pimblett, however, ‘The Last Stylebender’ quickly changed his mind.
“I’m going to go to f**king [Michael] Chandler,” he said, speaking on YouTube.
“I’m going to go Chandler…Chandler first-round KO but I feel like if he doesn’t get that it’s just gonna be a long night.
“He might get either gassed or hurt by Paddy. Chandler’s used to the pace, he knows how to go, and he’s been in there with the best.
After beating Dan Hooker on his UFC debut, Chandler fought Charles Oliveira for the lightweight title in just his second fight for the promotion.
‘Iron’ has since locked horns with the biggest stars in his division, including Justin Gaethje, Dustin Poirier, and Oliveira again last time out in November.
All three of the above names are in the top five lightweight rankings, and ones Pimblett could find himself facing if he gets past Chandler, even if Adesanya has swung the other way.
Adesanya held the UFC middleweight title for three years from 2019GETTY He said he’s banking on Chandler’s experience to get past Pimblett at UFC 314Getty“It’s just the experience I’m going to go with, that’s what I’m banking on – Chandler’s experience and his bomb,” the Nigerian-born New Zealander added.
“But, Paddy’s chin as well is just so up there that I feel like it would be almost impossible for Chandler not to land in that first round.
“So, I’m going to Chandler by round one knockout, but don’t be surprised if Paddy submits him in round one two or three.”
Adesanya went on to predict that his close friend Alexander Volkanovski would become the featherweight champion for the second time by defeating Diego Lopes in the main event of UFC 314.
Both men will fight it out in the headline act for the interim 145-pound title, which was vacated by Ilia Topuria back in February, although he still remains the champ until the bell sounds.
Adesanya admitted Volkanovski may have to weather the storm early on, but is confident in the Australian’s grappling to stop any situation where Lopes brings him to the ground and submits him.
Volkanovski faces Lopes for the featherweight title in the main event of UFC 314Getty Adesanya is backing the Australian to pick up his former belt once againGettyVolkanovski was the champion at 145lbs for four years from 2019 during a period when he beat UFC legend Max Holloway three times.
‘The Great’ is regarded as one of the best flyweights of all time, having defended his old belt six times.
The 36-year-old dropped the title to Topuria back in February at UFC 298 after attempting to become a two-division champion twice by stepping up and fighting Makhachev for the lightweight belt.
Elsewhere at UFC 314, former Bellator champion Patricio Pitbull makes his promotional debut against Yair Rodriguez, while Bryce Mitchell faces Jean Silva in a fight many have described as the people’s main event.
The UFC 314 main card starts around 3am on Sunday morning for UK fans, with Pimblett and Chandler expected to take centre stage at 4.30am.
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