The title picture at 155-pounds became a lot more interesting at UFC 314 with the addition of another new name.
With his seventh consecutive win inside the Octagon, Paddy Pimblett silenced a lot of critics by stopping Michael Chandler in the co-main event.
‘The Baddy’ is now targeting the very top names in the lightweight division with Pimblett’s preference being a matchup with Charles Oliveira which would set him up for a title shot.
Along with the potential of seeing Pimblett finally meet Ilia Topuria inside the Octagon, the outspoken Brit is also a fascinating challenge for the current champion.
It isn’t known what will be next for Islam Makhachev at this point in time but a huge fight against the division’s most polarizing figure could tempt him to stick around for a bit longer.
Islam Makhachev said he could fight Paddy Pimblett once ‘The Baddy’ entered the top 10
Islam Makhachev has made it clear for some time now that he wants the opportunity to move up to welterweight to try and become a two-weight champion.
Several factors currently stand in the way of that happening with the 170-pound title set to be defended in the main event of UFC 315 next month.
Ilia Topuria would be most people’s pick for Makhachev’s next opponent after the former featherweight champion vacated his title to move up but the Russian hasn’t been totally sold on the idea.
Other contenders like Justin Gaethje are certainly in the mix but there’s no denying that Paddy Pimblett is in and around the conversation after what he did on April 12.
In fact, Makhachev himself previously stated after Pimblett’s submission win over King Green at UFC 304 that a fight between them could materialize in the near future under one condition.
The champion said last August that if ‘The Baddy’ was able to keep winning and earn a spot in the top 10, he would entertain the matchup because it would be a new and exciting challenge for him.
After beating the #7-ranked contender, Pimblett is sure to find himself on the outskirts of the top 5 come Monday morning.
“When he deserve, why not? If he win his next couple match and when he’s going to be like top 10, why not? Because I don’t have some exciting fight in my division, we need some new name.”
Paddy Pimblett is one fight away regardless of what happens in the lightweight division
Paddy Pimblett is such a high profile star that if he extends his winning streak to eight by beating a top name in the division, the UFC’s plans will adjust to suit him.
Regardless of whether Islam Makhachev moves up a weight class or sticks around to fight either Ilia Topuria or Justin Gaethje, ‘The Baddy’ will find himself at the front of the pack with one more win.
Pimblett has faced a lot of criticism throughout his UFC career but beating one of the four names that he mentioned in his post-fight interview at UFC 314 will make him impossible to deny.
It would also give Makhachev the opportunity to put on a fight with real crossover potential that would only increase his status in the process even if two-weight glory is his main focus.
