Paddy Pimblett is turning up the volume on his push for a UFC lightweight title shot against new champion Ilia Topuria, betting that their rivalry and fan demand can outweigh the rankings. He says he’s “waiting” on the call, even while acknowledging others might be “more deserving” on paper.
Rivalry vs. Rankings
Pimblett has kept his request direct: he wants Topuria next, and he argues it’s the matchup fans want now. Their feud traces back to a 2022 altercation, and he has kept that fire burning through interviews and social media, saying he is ready whenever the UFC calls.
His stoppage of Michael Chandler at UFC 314 vaulted him into the lightweight top 10, strengthening his pitch even though several established contenders still sit ahead of him.
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The Gaethje roadblock
Justin Gaethje has rejected talk of a No. 1 contender fight with Pimblett, pushing for a title shot of his own instead. That stance tightens Pimblett’s options and complicates the UFC’s decision-making at 155, where multiple names are vying for position.
Adding to the puzzle, Topuria has floated the idea that Pimblett might need to face Gaethje first, a suggestion that highlights the crowded field at the top of the division.
Shots fired at Tsarukyan
Pimblett has also taken aim at Arman Tsarukyan, calling him a “spoiled rich baby” and accusing him of quitting during a weight cut when he withdrew on one day’s notice from UFC 311 due to a back injury.
He has leaned into speculation that severe weight-cut stress played a part in that injury, mirroring broader chatter around the withdrawal. Even so, Tsarukyan remains a leading contender and a prominent figure in the title conversation, ranked ahead of Pimblett.
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Community pushback and support
Reaction across MMA circles splits between star power and merit. Former champion Kamaru Usman has criticized the idea of a Pimblett title shot now, arguing it would shortchange higher-ranked contenders such as Tsarukyan and Gaethje.
On the other hand, some point to Pimblett’s surge and market pull after UFC 314, noting his rivalry with Topuria could sway matchmaking if the UFC favors box office over strict order. Topuria has signaled Pimblett could be one win away—if he beats another top opponent first.
What comes next?
No fight is booked yet, but Pimblett keeps pressing his case in public, making sure his name stays tied to the new champion. The dynamic was clear after Topuria’s title win, when Pimblett confronted him in the cage as other contenders looked on, spotlighting the tension between rankings and promotion-driven choices.
