Paddy Pimblett’s career path just got a whole lot more complicated, and it all hinges on one man: Islam Makhachev. Imagine this: your dream fight, the one you’ve been building towards, could be snatched away by a champion chasing even bigger ambitions. That’s the reality facing “The Baddy” right now.
Pimblett’s ultimate goal? Securing a lightweight title shot against Ilia Topuria, the undefeated sensation. But here’s where it gets controversial… Topuria himself seems increasingly drawn to the allure of challenging Makhachev for the welterweight title, a move that could cement Makhachev’s legacy with a record-breaking third UFC divisional title. Think about the implications! This isn’t just about belts; it’s about history.
Whether this mega-fight materializes remains to be seen. Pimblett believes Makhachev’s decision will heavily influence the UFC’s matchmaking. Ultimately, the UFC calls the shots, and Pimblett acknowledges the compelling matchups brewing at 170 pounds. He specifically mentions Carlos Prates and Michael Morales, both fresh off impressive wins at UFC 322, as potential contenders. And this is the part most people miss… the welterweight division is suddenly overflowing with exciting possibilities.
“Ilia’s been saying he wants to go up and fight him, but you’ve got other contenders there now,” Pimblett explained on his YouTube channel. He also name-dropped Ian Machado Garry (assuming he defeats Belal Muhammad), and Shavkat Rakhmonov, who’s been patiently waiting in the wings. “They’re all exciting matchups for Islam. The welterweight division at the moment could be becoming more exciting than the lightweight division. I don’t think any division has been more exciting than lightweight in more than 10 years. It’s good times for the sport.”
Pimblett highlights the uncertainty, questioning whether Topuria will pursue Makhachev or stick to his plan of facing him. “Let’s see what’s happening now with Islam because, is Ilia going to stick to his word and say he’s going to move up? Or is he going to stick to his other word and say he’s going to fight me next? We don’t know what’s happening. You never know. I could end up fighting Ilia. I could end up fighting Justin Gaethje as I thought it was going to be in Abu Dhabi, but no one knows what’s happening until Islam decides what he’s doing because Ilia’s saying he wants to fight him. But I’ll be fighting next year no matter who it is. I’ll have an opponent. I’ll definitely be fighting early next year.”
For context, Makhachev recently defeated Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 to capture the welterweight crown, adding another layer of intrigue to the situation. This victory not only solidified his status but also seemingly opened the door for Topuria’s potential move up in weight.
Regardless of the chaotic landscape, the 30-year-old Pimblett isn’t interested in playing the waiting game. He’s driven by a desire for greatness, and Makhachev’s historic achievement of becoming a two-division champion only intensifies that ambition. Remember, Makhachev is only the 11th fighter to achieve this feat in UFC history!
“(Makhachev is) pound-for-pound No. 1, lad,” Pimblett declared. “Unbelievable performance. I think he goes down as one of the best ever.” This statement, while respectful, perhaps subtly hints at Pimblett’s own aspirations. He acknowledges Makhachev’s greatness, but does he see himself following a similar path?
So, what do you think? Should Topuria chase the bigger legacy fight against Makhachev, potentially delaying a highly anticipated showdown with Pimblett? Or should he focus on defending his lightweight title and giving the fans the fight they’ve been clamoring for? And what about Pimblett? Is he right to be concerned about his future prospects, or should he focus on controlling what he can control and dominating his next opponent, whoever that may be? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!