Paddy Pimblett wants to welcome Ilia Topuria into the lightweight division after the best performance of his career at UFC 314.
In the co-main event of Saturday’s card in Miami, Pinblet decimates, stopping Michael Chandler and moving him to 7-0 in the UFC.
With a big fight waiting for “buddy,” many fans are hoping for Pinbett’s rivalry with former featherweight champion Ilia Topria playing for the Octagon. Pinblet was asked about his potential match after calling out Justin Gesche, Charles Oliveira, and Ahman Tsarkikan in a post-war interview with Joe Rogan.
“To be honest, I had forgotten him,” Pinblett said. “I would have forgotten all about him or mentioned him in the cage… that’s how irrelevant he is. I want to welcome him at 155 because he ranks higher than he’s lightweight, but he’s sitting and waiting for his title shot.
“But what I did to Chandler, (it’s) a blueprint for be-hitting him. I do exactly the same thing as what I did to Chandler.”
Pinblet hopes to compete for the lightweight title in 2026 by securing another victory in 2026.
“I have seen what Islam might retire after another defense. If (Jacques Della Madrena) beat Beral Muhammad, he will move up and fight for the welterweight belt,” Pinblett explained. “I don’t know, but obviously you train to play the best fight, so I’m training to fight the Islamic Makhachev, but he may not even be the champion by the time I get there.
“We’ll have to see what happens. You have to make it all two, do you? The person in front of me, that’s who I fight. The UFC sends me… It’s who I fight next, and that’s who I fight next.”