Paddy Pimblett wants another opportunity against Justin Gaethje, but two rivalries remain firmly on his mind. The Liverpool lightweight has unfinished business with Ilia Topuria and Arman Tsarukyan.The Paddy Pimblett next fight picture could therefore move in several directions. Pimblett says he wants to settle both personal feuds, even while keeping another lightweight title opportunity among his biggest goals.
Paddy Pimblett Wants to Settle Two UFC Feuds
Paddy Pimblett 24-4-0 has made his position clear while discussing the crowded lightweight title picture. He wants to fight Topuria and Tsarukyan before his UFC career ends.
Neither rivalry revolves only around rankings. Pimblett has traded personal insults with both fighters and believes those issues eventually need to be settled inside the Octagon.
He remains open to whatever the UFC offers next. However, Topuria and Tsarukyan clearly carry more personal significance than most other available lightweights.
That creates an interesting situation. Both rivals are also directly involved in the championship picture around current titleholder Gaethje.
Ilia Topuria Rivalry Goes Back Years
Ilia Topuria 17-1-0 has shared one of Pimblett’s most heated rivalries. Their problems began years before either fighter reached the lightweight title picture.
The pair had a confrontation at the UFC’s fighter hotel in London in 2022. Pimblett threw a bottle of hand sanitizer during the incident, which later inspired his “hand sanitizer boy” nickname for Topuria.
Their rivalry continued through press conferences and interviews. It became even more relevant after Topuria moved into the lightweight division.
Pimblett has recently floated the idea of coaching The Ultimate Fighter opposite Topuria. He believes spending several weeks around his rival would create an entertaining season before they finally fight.
The UFC has not officially booked that matchup. Pimblett had also previously addressed rumors of a potential fight with Topuria without confirming that an offer existed.
Arman Tsarukyan Feud Has Also Become Personal
Arman Tsarukyan 24-3-0 represents Pimblett’s other major problem. Their rivalry has intensified as both men have climbed toward the top of the lightweight division.
Pimblett recently admitted that Tsarukyan irritates him more than Manchester United. That comparison carried extra weight because Pimblett is a passionate Liverpool supporter.
The Englishman has also questioned Tsarukyan’s claim to another championship opportunity. He argued that Tsarukyan’s recent opposition does not justify placing him ahead of every other contender.
Tsarukyan strengthened his position by knocking out Mauricio Ruffy in the opening round at UFC 331. Pimblett still questioned the performance and said he would accept the fight if the UFC offered it.
Pimblett also reacted directly to Tsarukyan’s UFC 331 victory while continuing their increasingly personal exchange.
Pimblett Questions Why Tsarukyan Should Get the Next Title Shot
Pimblett’s frustration also comes from how he views their recent résumés. He submitted fifth-ranked Benoit Saint Denis in only 52 seconds at UFC 329.
Tsarukyan, meanwhile, stopped seventh-ranked Ruffy at UFC 331. Pimblett used those rankings to question why Tsarukyan should automatically receive the next championship opportunity.
“I’ll just fight whoever’s name gets put on a contract to me,” Pimblett said while discussing his options. He also stressed that he has never turned down a fight.
His list included Tsarukyan, Topuria, Charles Oliveira and Gaethje. That leaves several realistic directions for his next booking.
Justin Gaethje Rematch Remains the Ultimate Goal
Justin Gaethje 27-5-0 already knows what it takes to beat Pimblett. The two fought for the interim lightweight championship at UFC 324 in January.
Gaethje won a five-round unanimous decision. He later defeated Topuria to become the undisputed lightweight champion at UFC Freedom 250.
Pimblett rebounded quickly from his first UFC defeat. His 52-second submission of Saint Denis at UFC 329 immediately pushed him back into the championship discussion.
The result also strengthened Pimblett’s belief that he belongs among the division’s elite. His previous UFC lightweight title chances have now developed into a complicated race involving several established contenders.
A Gaethje rematch would give Pimblett another chance at the title. However, his comments suggest he does not want to leave his Topuria and Tsarukyan rivalries unresolved.
Tsarukyan May Reach Gaethje Before Pimblett
Tsarukyan currently has a strong case to challenge Gaethje next. His knockout of Ruffy extended his winning run and kept him near the top of the division.
Gaethje has also acknowledged Tsarukyan’s position. However, the champion has not committed publicly to a specific next fight.
Topuria remains another possibility after losing his title to Gaethje. The former champion has pushed for another opportunity, although an immediate rematch has not been announced.
That uncertainty leaves Pimblett waiting to see how the lightweight picture develops. He could pursue one of his personal rivals instead of waiting for another championship fight.
Could Pimblett Fight Topuria or Tsarukyan Next?
Both matchups make sense from a rivalry perspective. Topuria and Pimblett have years of hostility behind them, while the Tsarukyan feud has intensified more recently.
Matchmaking depends heavily on Gaethje’s next decision. If Tsarukyan receives the championship opportunity, Topuria could become a more realistic option for Pimblett.
If the UFC instead books Gaethje against Topuria, a Pimblett-Tsarukyan fight could become possible. Nothing has been officially announced.
Pimblett has therefore avoided committing himself to one name. His message remains simple: send the contract, and he intends to fight.
Final Thoughts
The Paddy Pimblett next fight could determine much more than his immediate place in the lightweight rankings. Pimblett wants another championship opportunity, but he also wants to settle personal issues with Topuria and Tsarukyan.
Gaethje remains the man holding the belt and the fighter who handed Pimblett his only UFC loss. Getting back to him remains a major target. First, however, one of Pimblett’s two biggest rivals could be waiting across the Octagon.
FAQs
Who could Paddy Pimblett fight next?
Ilia Topuria, Arman Tsarukyan, Charles Oliveira and Justin Gaethje are among the names Pimblett has discussed.
Which two UFC fighters does Paddy Pimblett have personal feuds with?
Pimblett has longstanding rivalries with Ilia Topuria and Arman Tsarukyan.
Has Paddy Pimblett fought Justin Gaethje?
Yes. Gaethje defeated Pimblett by unanimous decision at UFC 324 in January 2026.
Has Paddy Pimblett fought Ilia Topuria?
No. Despite years of personal hostility, Pimblett and Topuria have never fought professionally.
Has Paddy Pimblett fought Arman Tsarukyan?
No. Their rivalry has grown through public comments, but they have not met inside the UFC Octagon.
