Michael Chandler doesn’t rule out Paddy Pimblett’s chances of claiming the UFC lightweight title.

Pimblett (22-4 MMA, 7-0 UFC) edged one step closer to title contention when he scored a dominant third-round finish of former title challenger Chandler at UFC 314 in April.

Chandler (23-10 MMA, 2-5 UFC) thinks Pimblett could go on to become UFC champion, even though he doesn’t see his overall skillset as elite.

“Definitely, possibly,” Chandler told The Schmo. “I mean, I think he’s better than a lot of us gave him credit for. Being in there with him, I wouldn’t say that he’s got this crazy amount of skills or this crazy amount of power. He’s crazy good in any direction, but he’s not excellent anywhere, but he’s good pretty much everywhere. 

“He’s got a long body, he uses that range, he uses his kicks really well. Whether it was me having a bad night or him having a great night, or that is just who he is, it was tough to kind of get the distance, and by the time I got the distance, took the knee, and then that’s fighting for you. You know, we go out there, we lay it on the line, and sometimes bad things happen.”

As for what’s next for him, Chandler is looking to take some time off after suffering his third-straight loss.

“We’ll see,” Chandler said. “I’m enjoying the summer right now, nothing is scheduled. No names on the table, no dates on the table. I told them don’t call me until at least the fall, and obviously we’re in contact on some other business stuff and some other promotional stuff, but as far as actually stepping back in the octagon, probably not until the end of the year, if not the first of next year.”

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Michael Chandler: Paddy Pimblett has potential to be UFC champion

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