Conor McGregor lost $500K betting on Michael Chandler to KO Paddy Pimblett at UFC 314

Ben King

Irish MMA superstar Conor McGregor found himself on the wrong side of a hefty wager after Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett demolished Michael Chandler in their highly anticipated lightweight clash.

McGregor, who had publicly backed Chandler with a $500,000 bet, shared his prediction on social media before the card: “I’m gonna go with Michael Chandler to win and win by KO. Although Paddy’s improved in his last few outings, I still fancy Chandler to do it.”

The former two-division champion’s gambling instincts proved catastrophically wrong as Pimblett not only survived Chandler’s power but thoroughly dominated the former Bellator champion before securing a third-round TKO victory.

From the opening bell, size discrepancy was evident with Pimblett looking significantly larger than Chandler. While Chandler found early success with takedowns in the first round, Pimblett’s defensive grappling and ability to return to his feet quickly neutralized this advantage.

The tide shifted dramatically in the second round as Pimblett began hunting Chandler around the octagon, landing significant strikes and gaining confidence. After weathering an early takedown attempt, Pimblett showcased his grappling prowess by reversing position and ending the round in a dominant back control position while raining down punishing ground strikes.

The final frame saw Pimblett emerge with aggressive intent, landing a devastating knee that left Chandler bleeding profusely. The Liverpool native then executed his own takedown, took Chandler’s back, and unleashed a barrage of unanswered strikes that forced the referee to intervene at 3:07 of round three.

This victory extends Pimblett’s undefeated UFC record and firmly establishes him as a legitimate contender in the lightweight division. For Chandler, it marks his third consecutive defeat, further complicating his UFC career that now stands at a disappointing 2-4 record since joining the promotion in 2021.

Industry insiders note that Chandler’s prolonged inactivity while waiting for a potential bout with McGregor—which has yet to materialize—may have contributed to his recent decline in performance.

The defeat may also impact negotiations for any future McGregor-Chandler showdown, which has been rumored for over a year.

In hisinterview, a blood-spattered but jubilant Pimblett called for a top-five opponent next, making it clear that “The Paddy Show” is just getting started in the UFC’s 155-pound division—a statement that came at the expense of both Chandler’s immediate future and McGregor’s bank account.

Ben King