Written by Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images
Paddy Pimblett would love the chance to fight Justin Gaethje to earn a title shot, but Pimblett is well-aware that if Ilia Topuria becomes the lightweight champion in June, he may not have to fight again.
Pimblett, who is coming off of a dominant stoppage win over Michael Chandler at UFC 314, is in a great spot in the UFC’s toughest division. With longtime rival Topuria moving up to 155 and fighting Charles Oliveira to crown a new champion at UFC 317, and with Dustin Poirier and Max Holloway being set to fight at UFC 318 for the BMF title, Gaethje would be the odd man out to potentially face him.
Speaking to UFC broadcast partner TNT Sports, Pimblett reacted to that possible matchup, and his place at 155.
“Yeah, that’d be nice [to fight Gaethje],” Pimblett said. “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. Maybe I wouldn’t even fight Gaethje, [and I could] just fight Topuria. …
“It’d be far better for my career if Ilia wins because I’d, more than likely, be his first title defense.”
Gaethje was hoping to get his number called to fight for the lightweight title following his win against Rafael Fiziev at UFC 313 in March, but unfortunately he’ll have to watch Topuria and Oliveira battle it out instead.
Even if the UFC wants Pimblett to fight one more time, “The Paddy” would love the opportunity to face the former interim champion to prove he deserves a shot at the title — and wants to notch another stoppage win to boot.
“I know for a fact if I beat Gaethje, I’m next in line [no matter who is champion],” Pimblett explained. “It could be [my next fight], it’s just if he says yes or not, because he’s fighting down the rankings again. …
“After what I just did to Chandler, I think I finish Justin Gaethje.”