Ilia Topuria continued his tear as arguably the pound-for-pound best fighter on the planet, knocking out Charles Oliveira in the first round at UFC 317 on Saturday.
After the fight, Joe Rogan immediately asked the champion who he felt the next challenger should be. Topuria strongly hinted at both Arman Tsarukyan and Paddy Pimblett with some choice words.
When Rogan noticeably brushed past the mention of Tsarukyan, he shifted full steam ahead into the Paddy conversation—going as far as calling Pimblett into the cage for a faceoff and a heated exchange. All signs now point to “The Baddy” challenging for the lightweight title next.
However, this road to the title seems too accelerated—and there’s a lightweight litmus test Pimblett needs to pass before securing a shot: Justin Gaethje.
Paddy’s UFC Journey
Pimblett is undoubtedly the UFC’s biggest rising star. His charisma echoes that of Conor McGregor, helping propel him into the spotlight. Like McGregor, he faces criticism for being protected with favorable matchups as the promotion grooms its next megastar—not to mention the controversial Jared Gordon fight, which still lives rent-free in fans’ minds.
That said, his recent performance against Michael Chandler was undeniably impressive. He appeared more mature—physically and mentally—raising his stock tremendously. Yet, the fight also raised questions about whether Chandler is still the division’s gatekeeper, especially with someone like Justin Gaethje still battling the best at lightweight.
Why Not Justin?
With a 3–2 record in his last five fights against top-ranked opponents, Gaethje is still very much in the contender conversation. While two failed title shots might hurt his chances for another opportunity, a high-stakes fight against Paddy Pimblett makes sense for both men.
For “The Highlight,” it’s a chance for career and financial resurgence. For Pimblett, it’s the battle test he needs to quiet the naysayers.
That’s exactly why the UFC might be bypassing Gaethje. They understand Justin could derail Paddy’s momentum—possibly exposing whether Pimblett can survive a barn burner. With the promotion trying to convince the public that a new generation of stars is here, a Paddy loss could be a major setback.
Gaethje, the former interim and BMF champ, appears frustrated with the UFC’s current plans—and rightfully so. Why is Gaethje fighting for the belt suddenly such a bad idea? Are we really going to pretend fans wouldn’t be thrilled by a fistfight between him and Ilia Topuria?
Paddy Pimblett is being positioned for a lightweight title shot. His momentum and brewing feud with Topuria provide a solid marketing narrative for the UFC. But it’s frustrating for fighters—and loyal fans—when rising stars skip the line over proven names. Especially when those names, like Justin Gaethje, are still performing at an elite level.
Still, Ilia vs. Paddy is exciting. The UFC could easily close the year with that fight in blockbuster fashion—just like McGregor vs. Aldo in 2015.
It hasn’t even been discussed yet… but what happens if Paddy wins?
