Surging lightweight contender, Paddy Pimblett has sights fixed on an end-of-year return following his recent big win over Michael Chandler, suggesting he and former interim champion, Justin Gaethje meet in the Middle East by October.
Pimblett, who currently finds himself ranked at number eight in the official lightweight pile, turned in an Octagon-best win earlier this year at UFC 314 — submitting former title challenger, Chandler with a third round rear-naked choke in the co-main event of the Miami card.
With the victory, the outspoken Liverpool contender racked up his seventh consecutive victory in the Dana White-led promotion, following his eventual move from Cage Warriors back in 2020.
Paddy Pimblett welcomes year-end Justin Gaethje showdown
And seeking a route to the lightweight crown by next year, the grappling ace suggested he return on a flagship card in the United Arab Emirates toward the end of this annum — claiming he is currently hoping to book a fight with former symbolic BMF champion, Gaethje next.
“If I beat (Justin) Gaethje, I’m next in line [for the title],” Paddy Pimblett told TNT Sports this week. “He could be [next], it’s just if he says yea or not… Abu Dhabi, October. That’s when I want to fight.”
Paddy Pimblett wants to fight Justin Gaethje next in October in Abu Dhabi
“If I beat Gaethje I’m next in line. He could be [next], it’s just if he says yea or not… Abu Dhabi, October. That’s when I want to fight.”
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As soon as next month, that lightweight crown is up for grabs, too. Headlining UFC 317 during International Fight Week, Pimblett’s long-time nemesis, Ilia Topuria will make his sophomore outing at the weight class in a vacant title affair with former undisputed kingpin, Charles Oliveira.
And confident of landing a future grudge fight with Spanish finisher, Topuria, Pimblett remains supremely confident of handing the former featherweight champion his first professional defeat, too.
“I’ve been saying it for years, I would love to fight him,” Paddy Pimblett continued. “Now that he’s moved up to ’55 it’s a real possibility. It looks like he’s sitting out just waiting for Islam (Makhachev), but I personally think I should be the one to welcome him to the lightweight division.”
