Oh, Paddy the Baddy! The UFC lightweight division is on notice now after Paddy Pimblett delivered a third-round KO victory over Michael Chandler at UFC 314.
Chandler and Pimblett went back and forth before the Englishman cracked Chandler with a big knee and found a ground-and-pound finish shortly afterward.
With Pimblett now in the top eight spots at lightweight, it begs the question, who is next for Paddy? And how long before he finds himself in a lightweight title challenger spot?
Let's look at Paddy Pimblett's potential next opponents.
What's Next For Paddy Pimblett After UFC 314?
| Fighter | Odds |
|---|---|
| Justin Gaethje | +150 |
| Dan Hooker | +210 |
| Mateusz Gamrot | +450 |
| Arman Tsarukyan | +700 |
| Charles Oliveira | +800 |
| Ilia Topuria | +800 |
Speculative odds
I believe that Pimblett will fight up the rankings again, though a fight down vs Mateusz Gamrot could happen based on fighter availability. A stoppage win over Gamrot could also, shakily, get Paddy a title shot, although that could be hard to justify in this bloodbath at 155.
The case for Paddy vs Gaethje (+125)
I know Gaethje is more interested in contending for a title, but if Topuria fights champ Islam Makhachev as many expect, then Justin still needs a tune-up fight before then. As far as Gaethje's potential opponents go, Pimblett is the most desirable match for him among a group of Hooker, Tsarukyan, and Oliveira.
Stylistically, a Gaethje vs Pimblett fight is so compelling that I could see it as a PPV main event in England (if no champs are available) or, at the very least, a five-round co-main. Gaethje's power and scrambling ability make him tough for Paddy, though the Brit's chin, size, and grappling offense position him well for a win.
This is my first choice for fights to make next.
The Case For Paddy vs Hooker (+210)
This is another fight that makes tons of sense, and it's arguably an easier bout for Paddy, which aligns with the common man's thinking about him being coddled to a title. Listen, Chandler is no scrub, but he's obviously a tier below the elite level at LW. Hooker is in Chandler's tier, but the Kiwi is on a three-fight win streak and finally looks comfy at lightweight. While Pimblett would open as a favorite vs Hooker, I think another dominant win could make a fair case for Paddy to earn a title shot. Of course, this is contingent on Ilia's next fight and the proposed UFC 318 matchup between Max Holloway and Dustin Poirier.
No one will be disappointed with Pimblett vs Hooker, and their timelines line up for a meeting this summer.
The Case for Paddy vs Topuria (+800)
This is an OG grudge match dating back to Pimblett and Topuria butting heads years ago outside the Octagon. Pimblett was quick to namedrop Topuria after UFC 314, suggesting Ilia's size will be a major disadvantage for the Spaniard.
The UFC could make this fight, but it would be counter-intuitive to the direction of the division. The lightweight oldheads have been basically immovable in the top five, and Pimblett and Topuria represent the best chance to disrupt that grouping. So, why pit them against each other? If Topuria doesn't go right to a title shot, I'd like to see him fight someone like Oliveira or Gaethje, not Pimblett.
