Pimblett Rejects Chandler's Knockout Taunts

Paddy Pimblett said his "chin is made of granite" arsenic he rebuffed Michael Chandler's knockout taunts earlier their conflict astatine UFC 314 connected Saturday.

The brace engaged successful a friends verbal back-and-forth earlier a face-off that ended successful smiles astatine a news convention promoting nan arena successful Miami, Florida.

Liverpool's Pimblett has ne'er been knocked out, winning 22 of his 25 bouts since his debut successful 2012.

"Everyone thinks I'm getting knocked retired because I time off my chin precocious but this chin's made of granite," said Pimblett, who was shouted by fans.

"I'm not getting knocked out, I've ne'er been knocked retired earlier but Mike has and I'll do it again connected Saturday."

Pimblett, 30, is 12th successful nan UFC lightweight rankings while America's Chandler is 5 places supra him successful seventh.

The bout represents nan biggest of Pimblett's profession arsenic he looks to build connected his six-fight winning streak successful nan UFC.

The brace person been respectful to each different during conflict week, pinch Pimblett joking Chandler is simply a "dirty fighter" but adding "if you're not cheating, you're not trying".

UFC commentator Jon Anik described nan title arsenic a contender for "fight of nan night" astatine nan Kaseya Centre, while Chandler said nan bout will beryllium "the people's main event".

"All respect to what Paddy has done successful this athletics – he's earned nan correct to beryllium successful this spot but I person proven complete nan past mates of decades I merit to beryllium successful this spot arsenic well," said Chandler, who was besides shouted by fans.

"This is nan people's main event, I'm going to find that chin and I'm going to find it early."

The conflict is 2nd connected nan card, earlier nan featherweight title bout betwixt Australian erstwhile champion Alexander Volkanovski and Brazil's Diego Lopes.

Should Pimblett win, he said he is targeting a conflict against a top-five force later successful nan year, earlier a imaginable lightweight title changeable successful 2025.