Henry Cejudo ‘smelling an upset’ in Chandler vs. Pimblett

Henry Cejudo admits Paddy Pimblett is better than he initially thought.

Pimblett (22-3 MMA, 6-0 UFC) takes on former title challenger Michael Chandler (23-9 MMA, 2-4 UFC) in Saturday’s five-round UFC 314 co-headliner (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+) at Kaseya Center in Miami.

Although Pimblett is a slight betting favorite over Chandler, Cejudo would consider it an upset if he’s able to beat the former multiple-time Bellator champion – and he thinks he will.

“I’m smelling an upset,” Cejudo said on his “Pound 4 Pound” podcast with Kamaru Usman. “Paddy Pimblett, I think he’s going to bring in the grappling. I think he might pull guard on this dude. His hands are not bad, either. I also think he can force Michael Chandler to do something in the bottom. If he cannot take Michael Chandler down, he’s more likely going to have to do that.

“But I just feel like Paddy Pimblett, he’s a lot better than what I thought and what he was able to do to Bobby Green, his transitional stuff. We’ve got to put some respect on that dude’s name, and he’s only gotten better, bro. I just feel like with Michael Chandler, I think the UFC knows what they’re doing. They’re doing a five rounder. Like, think about it. I think Paddy Pimblett is a lot better than what we think, and I’m smelling an upset here.”

Looking at the landscape of the lightweight division, Cejudo sees big implications for Pimblett with a win.

“I do believe that this, a win over Michael Chandler, could put him in a really good position,” Cejudo continued. “He could be one fight away from fighting for the title.”

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