After Paddy Pimblett’s recent defeat to Justin Gaethje at UFC 324, former fighter Matt Brown expressed skepticism about Pimblett’s chances of beating any opponent ranked in the UFC lightweight top 10. Pimblett, who fought for the interim UFC Lightweight Championship in the promotion’s first event of 2026, was ultimately defeated by unanimous decision despite showing moments of promise during the fight.
Brown shared his doubts during an episode of MMAFighting.com’s The Fighter vs. The Writer, saying he struggles to see Pimblett winning against highly ranked competition. He emphasized that even opponents outside the top 10 might be difficult for Pimblett to overcome.
“That’s the problem with Paddy … I don’t know if I pick him against anybody in the top 10,”
Brown stated.
“Maybe even like top 12, top 13. I’m not sure how far I’d have to go down to find somebody I’d favor him against.”
Potential Next Opponent and Expectations
Brown suggested that Benoit Saint Denis, a contender at 155 pounds, should be Pimblett’s next opponent to better assess where the fighter stands among UFC’s lightweight division. He underscored that, having recently competed for an interim title, Pimblett should face anyone in the division without hesitation.
“I mean look Paddy’s supposedly a top guy, he just fought for an interim title,”
Brown said.
“Give [Benoit Saint Denis] Paddy. Let’s see who is the top guy here. You’re in the UFC, you just fought for an interim title. There shouldn’t be anybody that Paddy doesn’t fight. You just fought for an interim title, buddy. These are all fair matchups. You were thought to be better than all these other guys. Go for it.”
Pimblett’s Health and Future Plans
Following the bout with Gaethje, Pimblett shared on his YouTube channel that the worst injury he sustained was a scratched cornea. He anticipates returning to competition this summer and revealed that he hopes Gaethje defeats Ilia Topuria to become the undisputed UFC Lightweight Champion. Pimblett appears motivated by settling his rivalry with Topuria subsequently.
Implications for Pimblett’s UFC Career Trajectory
Pimblett’s loss and Brown’s doubts raise questions about whether The Baddy can reach the elite tier of the UFC lightweight division and compete successfully against top-ranked fighters. Matchups against contenders like Benoit Saint Denis may prove critical tests in determining his standing in the division. Fans and analysts will closely watch his next steps as he seeks to rebound and solidify his place among the top UFC fighters.
