Paddy Pimblett Targets Top Contenders After Revealing Huge

Paddy Pimblett is back in the UFC lightweight title conversation, revealing a staggering 46-pound weight cut for his last fight while positioning himself for a major clash with a top contender. The Liverpool fighter, fresh off a first-round submission of Benoit Saint Denis at UFC 329 in July, is eyeing a return before the year ends and has not been shy about calling out his rivals.

Pimblett's physical transformation between fights is legendary, but the scale of his cut for UFC 329 was extreme. In a video on his YouTube channel, he revealed he weighed 202 pounds on April 10. Just three months later, he hit the lightweight limit of 156 pounds for the official weigh-ins the day before his fight. That 46-pound reduction is among the largest possible for a 155-pound competitor and shows the discipline behind his often-criticized lifestyle between bouts.

The path forward is crowded with big names and heated rivalries. UFC president Dana White has already mentioned Pimblett as an intriguing option for a fight with former champion Ilia Topuria. That matchup gained more traction after champion Justin Gaethje suffered hand injuries in his June title defense against Topuria and may be out until 2027. Henry Cejudo, the former two-division UFC champion, explicitly backed the idea. "If Justin Gaethje really is that hurt... You do Ilia Topuria vs Paddy 'The Baddy'," Cejudo said on the Pound 4 Pound podcast.

Pimblett has done little to calm the waters with Topuria. He ripped into the Georgian for suggesting Gaethje cheated by loading his gloves in their June fight, which Topuria lost by corner stoppage after breaking both orbital bones. "I think Ilia's just being a sore loser, lads, being a little b*tch about it," Pimblett said, dismissing the accusations.

Another potential opponent is Arman Tsarukyan, who solidified his top contender status with a knockout win at UFC 331 in late August. Pimblett, who has feuded with Tsarukyan for years, gave a backhanded compliment. "That was a nasty elbow, lad. Gotta give him his due," Pimblett admitted before quickly returning to form. "I'd still punch his head in, though." He critiqued Tsarukyan's performance, questioning his wrestling and suggesting he showed holes in his game. Despite the verbal jabs, the two have never fought, setting up a logical and high-stakes booking for the promotion.

Henry Cejudo believes so. The Olympic gold medalist has changed his tune on Pimblett's potential. "Yeah, he could. At first, I didn't believe it. But he has the tools," Cejudo told GIVEMESPORT. He pointed to Pimblett's size advantage at lightweight as a critical factor. Pimblett's lone UFC loss came to Gaethje in a decision for the interim title at UFC 324 in January, but his swift rebound against Saint Denis has kept him in the championship picture. His next fight, likely against a top-five opponent, will determine if that belief is justified.

• Pimblett cut 46 pounds, from 202 lbs to 156 lbs, for his UFC 329 victory in July.
• He is targeting a fight before the end of 2026, with Ilia Topuria or Arman Tsarukyan as leading candidates.
• Champion Justin Gaethje is injured, potentially speeding up the contender queue and making a Pimblett-Topuria fight more likely.
• Former champion Henry Cejudo now backs Pimblett to become UFC champion, citing his size and improved tools.

The landscape at 155 pounds is in flux. With Gaethje sidelined, the UFC must decide between an immediate Topuria rematch, a fresh challenge for Tsarukyan, or a money fight featuring the outspoken Pimblett. For his part, Paddy is ready to talk his way into the biggest fight possible and prove his drastic weight cuts are worth the struggle.