UFC
Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett Closes In On UFC Lightweight Title Shot With Next Fight Against Top 5 Contender
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Following his emphatic UFC 314 victory over Michael Chandler, the Paddy Pimblett next fight will likely be against a Top 5 contender. ‘The Baddy’ is closing in on the 155-pound top five and a potential UFC Lightweight Title shot next year.
Paddy Pimblett Next Fight: When Is ‘The Baddy’ Back In Action?
Paddy Pimblett it one of the biggest names in UK MMA, of that there is no doubt. Despite being just 30-years-old and only having seven UFC fights to date, ‘Paddy The Baddy’ boasts an impressive 23-3 record as of today. This includes 17 stoppage finishes – 10 via submission and seven via knockout.
UFC fans last saw Paddy Pimblett in action in mid-April at UFC 314 in Miami. Pimblett faced the toughest test of his career and was tipped by many to even taste defeat for the first time in the UFC, but that couldn’t have been any further from the truth.
Instead, ‘Paddy The Baddy’ put in a career-best performance in his Round 3 knockout victory over Michael Chandler. Pimblett sent the UFC 314 crowd into raptures with his devastating performance, with UFC President Dana White also handing Pimblett a $50,000 bonus for his emphatic victory.
In regards to Paddy Pimblett’s next fight, it is yet to be confirmed who he will face next. However, it is likely that Pimblett’s next test will be against a Top 5 contender in the lightweight division.
In his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan in the octagon, ‘The Baddy’ called out four fighters ranked above him that he wants next. These include former champion Charles Oliveira, #1 contender Arman Tsarukyan, Justin Gaethje and Dustin Poirier.
Each of these four fights make sense for Pimblett next. It remains to be seen who he gets matched up against before the end of the year, but the Liverpudlian has said he would love to face fellow submission artist Charles Oliveira if he had his way.
Paddy Pimblett’s next fight will likely see him as a slight underdog with the best UFC betting sites, especially if it is against one of these four aforementioned names.
Two submission artists facing each other?? 👀
Paddy Pimblett wants @CharlesDoBronxs next! 😮💨
[ #UFC314 ] pic.twitter.com/G1BNdEjqD4— UFC (@ufc) April 13, 2025
Could Paddy The Baddy’s Next Fight Be For The UFC Lightweight Title?
After his latest victory at UFC 314, Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett was elevated into the Top 10 of the UFC lightweight rankings for the first time in his career. That was Pimblett’s seventh win in the UFC, which includes two knockouts, two decisions and three submission victories.
Given that he is now highly ranked in the 155-pound division, behind fighters such as the champion Islam Makhachev, Dustin Poirier, Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje, a big fight is almost certainly next for ‘Paddy The Baddy’.
It is highly likely that Pimblett’s next fight will be against either Charles Oliveira, Justin Gaethje, Dustin Poirier or Arman Tsarukyan. Time will tell which fighter gets the nod, but whoever it is against will have to be on their A-game to beat the Liverpudlian.
Although he is a big name and now a ranked fighter, there is no chance at all that Paddy Pimblett’s next fight will be for the UFC Lightweight Title. Islam Makhachev has a couple more contenders to defeat before Pimblett earns his shot.
However, in 12 months we could well be sitting here talking about Pimblett as a genuine 155-pound title contender in the UFC. For now, Islam Makhachev has the UFC Lightweight Title firmly in his grasp, and looks highly unlikely he will lose it anytime soon as well.
If Paddy Pimblett’s next fight once again goes his way, UK MMA fans can continue to watch his rise up the UFC lightweight division all the way to the very top. 2026 could be the year he gets his shot at UFC gold.
Be sure to claim the various UFC betting offers and free bet deals available on the SportsCasting site ahead of Paddy Pimblett’s next fight.