Paddy Pimblett Targets Top Foes as UFC Lightweight Title

Paddy Pimblett is at the center of the UFC lightweight division's biggest debates, with his name linked to a potential fight against Ilia Topuria and his criticism of top contender Arman Tsarukyan sparking a fresh feud.

With champion Justin Gaethje sidelined with hand injuries until 2027, the path to the title is wide open. UFC president Dana White has already called Pimblett an intriguing option to fight former champion Ilia Topuria. This idea gained more traction when Olympic gold medalist Henry Cejudo proposed the matchup on his podcast.

Cejudo said that if Gaethje cannot return this year, the UFC should book Topuria against Pimblett. The Brit has been vocal in his criticism of Topuria, calling him a "little b*tch" for suggesting Gaethje loaded his gloves during their June title fight at UFC Freedom 250. Pimblett dismissed the accusation as the behavior of a sore loser.

The rivalry with Topuria isn't the only one heating up. Pimblett also questioned the wrestling of Arman Tsarukyan following his UFC 331 co-main event win over Mauricio Ruffy. Tsarukyan won by first-round knockout but Pimblett noted he struggled to take Ruffy down.

Tsarukyan dismissed the criticism as just Pimblett's personal opinion. Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, the Armenian contender expressed confidence he would have found another way to win. "If not that elbow, the second round could be a submission, and the third round could be a TKO," Tsarukyan said. Pimblett acknowledged Tsarukyan may be next for a title shot but pointed out his recent wins came against fighters now ranked outside the top ten.

Pimblett's own form is strong following a swift return to winning ways. He submitted Benoit Saint Denis in the first round at UFC 329 in July. That victory came after a razor-close decision loss to Gaethje for the title at UFC 324 in January.

To make the 156-pound limit for that fight, Pimblett revealed he undertook a massive weight cut. He said he weighed 202 pounds on April 10 and cut 46 pounds over three months to hit the lightweight limit. That win re-established him as a serious contender, with a top-five opponent likely next if he fights before the end of 2026.

His long-time friend and training partner Molly McCann is backing him for the ultimate success. McCann, who has retired from MMA to pursue boxing, predicted both would become world champions in 2027. She texted Pimblett after his loss to Gaethje with the joint ambition. The pair previously held Cage Warriors world titles together early in their careers.

• Pimblett is a leading candidate to fight Ilia Topuria, especially with champion Justin Gaethje injured.
• He reignited a feud with Arman Tsarukyan by criticizing the contender's wrestling at UFC 331.
• His last fight saw him submit Benoit Saint Denis at UFC 329 after a 46-pound weight cut.