UK MMA star Paddy Pimblett (22-3 MMA, 6-0 UFC) is about to walk into the most important fight of his life. "The Baddy" is booked to face Michael Chandler (23-9 MMA, 2-4 UFC) in the co-main event at UFC 314 next month as he looks to continue his ascent up the rankings at 155 pounds.
Pimblett, a former Cage Warriors champion, is still unbeaten inside the Octagon, almost 4 years after first signing with the UFC. The 30-year-old sits 12th in the lightweight rankings, 5 places below Chandler, and has been discussing his next possible move should he manage to get his hand raised in Miami, Florida on April 12th.
“My plan is to fight a top 5 opponent", Pimblett said during an interview with Shak MMA on YouTube, "then fight for the belt. And then my first title defense could be Conor McGregor at (Liverpool Football Club's home stadium) Anfield…that is perfect, because that’s where the money is, and I’m filling Anfield out, me and Conor".
Pimblett Still Holding Grudge Against Topuria
"The Notorious" wasn't the only fighter to find himself in Pimblett's crosshairs. The Liverpool native also had some choice words for Ilia Topuria (16-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC), with whom he shared an altercation at the fighter hotel ahead of UFC London back in 2022, which resulted in Pimblett throwing a bottle of hand sanitizer at "El Matador".
Dana White recently announced Topuria is set to make the move up to 155 pounds after defending his featherweight title just once, when he knocked out Max Holloway at UFC 308. With the Spanish-Georgian now entering his weight class, Pimblett is looking to pounce.
"But obviously I would…I do want to batter ‘Hand Sanitizer Boy’", Pimblett said, laughing. "I want to show him how small he is and show him that he’s got little man syndrome, so he’s another one that I’d love to fight”.
