Paddy Pimblett demolished Michael Chandler at UFC 314 co-main with a massive ground-and-pound TKO finish in the third round. “This is how we win,” Pimblett said after the fight. “We game plan, we use our fight IQ, and we beat motherf***ers up. Anyone else got any questions?“ Well, no one might have any questions about his fight IQ or the 7-0 star’s prowess, but we do have questions about who he might fight next, and the current state of the lightweight division. ‘The Baddy’ called out several names like Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje, but it remains to be seen how the UFC goes ahead with bouts in the 155-lb division.
However, before UFC CEO Dana White can say anything, Uncrowned, Ariel Helwani, and Yahoosports decided to post a list of three probable matchups on Instagram. The fights? Ilia Topuria vs Charles Oliveira, Paddy Pimblett vs Justin Gaethje, and Dustin Poirier vs Max Holloway. Now what does the veteran MMA journo Helwani have to say about this?
Helwani spoke about the best matchup for Pimblett and said in the Uncrowned show, “Moving towards Dustin Poirier vs Max Holloway, Max Holloway versus—listen if they do Charles Oliveira against Ilia Topuria, if—I am just saying a lot of ifs here—if Islam moves up to 170lbs, all I am trying to say is take that Justin Gaethje fight. This version of Paddy Pimblett beats Justin Gaethje, does anyone disagree? Take that Gaethje fight and stamp your ticket to your title shot.”
Now, when it comes to Arman Tsarukyan, Pimblett had a recent back and forth with him regarding his UFC 311 withdrawal. Helwani explained why Pimblett should not fight Tsarukyan, stating, “The Arman fight is a lot tougher. I am not saying he can’t win that fight, but Arman right now is way tougher in my opinion than Justin Gaethje. Look, the callout was perfect, he listed everyone, and then he picked the one he wanted most, and he picked the one who’s the biggest star, who’s still very much a player. Who’s very good on the ground, who’s well-rounded? Like it was the perfect; he didn’t shy away from Arman, he mentioned everyone except Ilia. Which, by the way, is the one that has been in the works for years now.”
And about Pimblett and Topuria? The Scouser and Topuria have a mutual hatred for each other, dating back to when they competed at a UFC London event alongside each other in 2022. They had a fallout following an online scuffle both had, at the UFC fighter hotel, with ‘The Baddy’ throwing a bottle of hand sanitizer at the Georgian. Now that Pimblett won his UFC 314, the rivalry is ripe for re-ignition it seems.
And what about Paddy Pimblett’s possible fight against Islam Makhachev? Will he make it in time to face the Dagestani P4P #1 fighter and lightweight champ?
What is the possible matchup in Islam Makhachev’s future?
‘The Baddy’ is already fixated on the top names in the lightweight division after getting the blockbuster win against ‘Iron’ Mike. Everything about the lightweight champ’s next fight is in the shadows at this point, especially with him wanting to move up to welterweight.
Islam Makhachev recently spoke at UFC 311, revealing his move to the welterweight division to become a two-division champion. He said, “I don’t know when it’s going to happen, but I’m not leaving this sport without a second belt.” He also posted the same on X.
Makhachev said last August at UFC Q&A in Abu Dhabi that if Pimblett won and came to the top 10, he wouldn’t mind fighting the Englishman. “When he deserves, why not? If he wins his next couple of matches and when he’s going to be in the top 10, why not? Because I don’t have an exciting fight in my division, we need a new name.”
So what do you think UFC will plan for the upper echelons of lightweight? Do you think ‘The Baddy’ can make it past the murderer’s row in the lightweight division in time to face Islam Makhachev? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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