Paddy Pimblett, recovering from his first defeat in the UFC that ended his seven-fight winning streak, is already looking ahead to his next fight. The Liverpool native declared his willingness to face any opponent, emphasizing his readiness to compete as soon as next summer.
Open to Various Opponents in Upcoming Matches
On his YouTube channel, Pimblett made it clear that no opponent is off the table. He expressed interest in facing Arman Tsarukyan or contesting the winner or loser of the upcoming Max Holloway versus Charles Oliveira bout, saying,
“I just know whatever name gets sent to me on a contract, I sign it and I fight them. But Saint Denis sounds like a good fight to me.”
Despite recent setbacks, Pimblett affirmed his eagerness to fight, refusing to let injuries or speculation slow him down.
Pimblett Denies Injury Concerns Following Defeat
Addressing rumors about his condition post-fight, Pimblett stated,
“But I’ll be back in the summer. Just let me know when and where, Hunter, Dana, Sean, and I’m ready to go. I haven’t got any injuries. People keep going on, ‘Oh, the damage he took, he’s going to have to take months off.’ … I didn’t even have a concussion. I never had no headaches after it. All I had was a marked face and sore eye balls after getting poked in them.”
Ranking Disputes Add to Pimblett’s Motivation
Currently ranked sixth in the lightweight division, Pimblett expressed frustration that Arman Tsarukyan recently moved above him in the rankings after a victory over Dan Hooker. He openly questioned the logic behind this change, stating,
“To be honest, I’ll be honest with you all, it pissed me off that Saint Denis has moved above me for beating that bum Dan Hooker.”
He continued,
“Why has Saint Denis moved above me for beating the bum Dan Hooker, who’s f*cking sh*t? What’s going on there?”
Comparing Winning Streaks and Career Trajectories
Saint Denis’s current four-fight winning streak includes victories over notable fighters such as Mauricio Ruffy, Beneil Dariush, and Dan Hooker. In contrast, Pimblett’s prior winning streak, though longer, featured wins primarily against former top contenders nearing the end of their careers like Tony Ferguson, King Green, and Michael Chandler.
While his recent loss may temper momentum, Pimblett remains a prominent figure in the UFC lightweight scene.
Future Prospects and High-Profile Opportunities
Pimblett’s star power endures despite the setback, positioning him well for a significant matchup in his next outing. There is speculation that he could secure a spot on the upcoming UFC: White House card scheduled for June, which often features some of the sport’s most exciting bouts.
As the lightweight division continues to evolve, Pimblett’s flexibility in choosing opponents and his readiness to return quickly may impact the title landscape and his standing within the UFC’s competitive scene.
