Paddy Pimblett, a rising UFC lightweight contender, has bold plans following his third-round TKO over Michael Chandler at UFC 314. In a TNT Sports interview, he targeted a fight with Justin Gaethje in October 2025 or a title shot against Ilia Topuria if Topuria wins the vacant lightweight belt.
The Liverpool native, now ranked No. 8 in the lightweight division, sees a Gaethje fight as a guaranteed path to a title shot. He also believes a Topuria victory over Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 on June 28, 2025, in Las Vegas could fast-track him to the championship.
Pimblett’s confidence surged after his dominant performance against Chandler, earning him a Performance of the Night bonus. His strategic vision balances high-profile matchups with a potential shortcut to UFC gold.
Pimblett’s Ascent to Lightweight Elite
Pimblett’s victory over Chandler on April 12, 2025, in Miami was a career-defining moment. The stoppage showcased his evolving striking and grappling, proving his elite-level potential.
He now eyes Gaethje, a former interim lightweight champion, for an Abu Dhabi clash. “Yeah, that’d be nice [to fight Gaethje],” Pimblett told TNT Sports, expressing enthusiasm for the matchup.
Pimblett believes he can overwhelm Gaethje, stating:
“After what I just did to Chandler, I think I finish Justin Gaethje.” He sees the fight as pivotal, noting, “I know for a fact if I beat Gaethje, I’m next in line [no matter who is champion].”
Gaethje, ranked No. 4, defeated Rafael Fiziev via unanimous decision at UFC 313 in March 2025. Pimblett acknowledged the challenge, saying, “It could be [my next fight], it’s just if he says yes or not, because he’s fighting down the rankings again.”
Alternatively, Pimblett sees a Topuria win as a quicker route to the title”
“But I was thinking about it the other day: It’s probably better if Ilia wins the belt, because he’ll probably call me out and then I could just fight him,” he said.
Pimblett elaborated, “Maybe I wouldn’t even fight Gaethje, [and I could] just fight Topuria.” He believes, “It’d be far better for my career if Ilia wins because I’d, more than likely, be his first title defense.” via MMAFighitng
Topuria, a former featherweight champion, vacated his 145-pound title to face Oliveira at UFC 317. Their longstanding rivalry fuels Pimblett’s interest in the matchup.
Pimblett’s MMA journey began in 2012 with Cage Warriors, where he won the featherweight title in 2016. He joined the UFC in 2021, going 7-0 with standout performances.
His record stands at 23-3, with six knockouts and nine submissions. The Chandler win, his most significant, elevated him to the lightweight top 10.
Gaethje, a fan favorite, holds a 26-5 record with 20 knockouts. His recent victories include Rafael Fiziev and Tony Ferguson, though a knockout loss to Max Holloway persists.
Topuria, undefeated at 16-0, boasts knockouts over Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway. His lightweight move follows a stellar 2024, earning him top honors.
The lightweight division is open after Islam Makhachev vacated the title to pursue welterweight. UFC 317 will crown a new champion, with Pimblett closely monitoring.
Pimblett plans to attend the Topuria-Oliveira fight, ready to capitalize if Topuria wins and calls him out. A Gaethje bout remains his primary focus for October.
The Abu Dhabi event, likely a UFC pay-per-view, is Pimblett’s target for his next fight. A Gaethje showdown could draw massive attention, boosting his stardom.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ho_dB_cdn3A&ab_channel=TNTSports
