Paddy Pimblett Eyes Top Fights After Massive Weight Cut

Paddy Pimblett is being pushed as the next major opponent for former champion Ilia Topuria, with UFC brass and fellow fighters seeing the long-simmering feud as the perfect comeback fight for the Georgian.

Former two-division champion Henry Cejudo is the latest high-profile voice to call for the bout. He argued that Topuria, coming off a punishing title loss to Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250 in June, needs a high-profile but winnable return. "Ilia needs to fight 'Paddy the Baddy,'" Cejudo told MMA Junkie. "Put the sanitizer sh*t to bed. It's the perfect storyline." Cejudo suggested the winner could then challenge champion Gaethje. UFC president Dana White has also admitted Pimblett is an intriguing option if an immediate Gaethje-Topuria rematch isn't booked.

Pimblett himself is more than ready for the challenge. Speaking on the Green Light podcast in August, he promised to terrorize Topuria. "If I fight Ilia, I'm going to absolutely rinse his life," Pimblett said. "I think he's a little helmet. I'd love to fight him and give him sh*t." He expressed similar disdain for another top contender, Arman Tsarukyan, but said he would show respect to veterans like Max Holloway or Charles Oliveira.

The Scouser's physical transformation for his most recent fight was extreme. In a YouTube video, Pimblett revealed he cut a staggering 46 pounds to make the lightweight limit for UFC 329 in July. He said he weighed 202 pounds on April 10. Three months later, he hit the scales at 156 pounds the day before submitting Benoit Saint Denis in just 52 seconds.

That dominant performance in July re-established him as a serious contender after a razor-close decision loss to Justin Gaethje at UFC 324 in January. It set the stage for the current discussions about a top-five opponent before the end of 2026.

At the world premiere of MobLand Season 2, Pimblett crossed paths with actor and avid Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner Tom Hardy. Pimblett, never one to miss an opportunity, immediately asked Hardy if he fancied an MMA fight. The actor, recently promoted to a brown belt in BJJ in January 2026, swiftly declined. "No," was Hardy's simple reply.

But the conversation turned to collaboration. Hardy complimented Pimblett's suit and expressed a desire to train together. "I'd love to train with you," Hardy said. Pimblett confirmed they'd been discussing a potential session for years. "Been speaking about it for years, lad. I wish we'd get some rolling in," he said. Hardy is a lead ambassador for the REORG Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Foundation, a charity for military personnel.

His longtime friend and training partner, Molly McCann, is betting on it. McCann, who retired from MMA and is now 5-0 in professional boxing, believes 2027 will be their year. She texted Pimblett after his loss to Gaethje with a joint prediction. "I texted him after Gaethje and said '2027 me and you will both be world champions again'," McCann told Bloody Elbow in early September. "And you can quote me on that." Both previously held Cage Warriors world titles early in their careers.

• Key Takeaways:
• Paddy Pimblett is a leading candidate to fight former champion Ilia Topuria next, with Henry Cejudo and Dana White backing the idea.
• He cut 46 pounds to make weight for his 52-second submission win over Benoit Saint Denis at UFC 329 in July.
• Pimblett and actor Tom Hardy discussed a long-awaited training session at a recent premiere, though Hardy turned down a fight offer.
• Close friend Molly McCann predicts both she and Pimblett will become world champions in their respective sports in 2027.