Paddy Pimblett is considering two alternative opponents if the UFC does not immediately schedule a fight against Ilia Topuria. Despite not competing at UFC 317 last Saturday in Las Vegas, Pimblett was a major talking point following Topuria’s knockout victory over Charles Oliveira to claim the lightweight title. After Topuria’s win, Pimblett entered the Octagon to face off with his longstanding rival, setting up a potential title defense. However, many question whether Pimblett’s decisive win over Michael Chandler warrants an immediate title shot.
If the UFC agrees, Pimblett has identified two possible fighters who could compete before he challenges Topuria. Before UFC 317, Pimblett suggested Justin Gaethje as a contender for the title eliminator, though his manager’s insistence on a direct title shot has cast doubt on that idea. This leaves limited options for opponents. Pimblett has repeatedly mentioned Gaethje as his preferred choice if he doesn’t get a direct shot at Topuria, but beyond Gaethje, he has mainly considered Dan Hooker.
Hooker, sidelined with injuries since last August after defeating Mateus Gumlott, was initially scheduled to face Gaethje before his injuries intervened. Ideally for Pimblett, he would bypass these contenders and compete directly for the UFC gold. Pimblett claims his rivalry with Topuria is the most authentic feud since Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor, emphasizing they genuinely dislike each other and that the fight sells itself.
Despite the hype, it remains uncertain whether this rivalry will significantly impact the UFC.
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Fan Take: This news is significant for fight fans as it highlights the high stakes and drama surrounding UFC lightweight title contention. Pimblett’s fierce rivalry with Topuria could bring a compelling, high-intensity matchup to the Octagon, potentially reigniting the excitement that fights like Nurmagomedov vs. McGregor once delivered.
