Liverpool’s Paddy Pimblett has received a surprising UFC lightweight ranking following his defeat at the hands of Justin Gaethje on Saturday night.
Pimblett was handed his first crack at a UFC title after his demolition of Michael Chandler last April – in which the 31-year-old stopped Chandler in the third round to record the biggest and most important victory of his career.
This victory put ‘The Baddy’ in line for a shot at the interim lightweight title at UFC 324 against Justin Gaethje.
A win for Pimblett would have put him in line for a shot at the undisputed 155-pound strap against full champion – and fierce rival – Ilia Topuria. However, the Liverpudlian fell to an upset loss against the highly-respected American veteran.
Paddy Pimblett’s Loss to Justin Gaethje at UFC 324
Despite failing to win the bout, Pimblett won the hearts of the crowd – receiving plaudits for his fight and courage showed throughout the 25 minutes as he forced Gaethje to up his game and roll back the years with a vintage performance.
‘The Highlight’ impressed the style that has made him so popular with UFC fans over the years as he refused to take a backward step throughout the contest.
Pimblett hit the canvas on multiple occasions, but showed real heart to go the distance, even winning two rounds on one of the judges’ scorecards.
All three judges had Chandler winning the first, second and fourth rounds, with Pimblett unanimously winning the third and one judge having him as the victor in the final round. This resulted in scores of 48-47, 49-46 and 49-46 in favour of Gaethje.
Updated Lightweight Rankings After UFC 324 Revealed
After the Fight of the Year contender in Sin City, the new official UFC lightweight rankings have emerged. Gaethje, of course, now ranks just below Topuria as interim champion, but what does Pimblett’s first career UFC loss mean for his own spot in the rankings?
The UFC’s updated official top 15 at 155 pounds features a number of fighters Pimblett has had issues with, including Michael Chandler, who sits at number 12.
Pimblett is no stranger to social media feuds with other lightweights. He has previously exchanged barbs with number 10-ranked Renato Moicano. The Scouser has also had his issues with New Zealander Dan Hooker. ‘Hangman’, who returns to action at UFC 325 this weekend, is currently placed sixth in the rankings.
This means he sits one place lower than Pimblett, who retains the fifth-placed ranking he entered UFC 324 with, presumably on the basis of his gutsy ‘Fight of the Night’ showing in defeat against Gaethje.
Behind champions Topuria and Gaethje sit Max Holloway (4th) and Charles Oliveira (3rd). Arman Tsarukyan is the top lightweight contender without a championship to his name. He is ranked second as Gaethje takes the number one spot by virtue of being interim champion.
Next Fights in the Lightweight Division After UFC 324
Assuming Topuria sticks to his recently suggested timeline, he will be back in the Octagon to face Gaethje in a unification clash before the end of June. The UFC’s landmark card at The White House has been touted as a potential location for the fight.
Highly-ranked lightweights will also meet in the main event of March’s UFC 326 as Holloway and Oliveira do battle for the symbolic BMF title. Despite the prize at stake, the result of that contest will also likely affect the rankings picture at 155lbs.
Pimblett will no doubt be tuning in to both of those bouts, but he will also have a keen eye on UFC 325, with the card in Sydney featuring two contests between ranked lightweights. First, Rafael Fiziev (9th) takes on Mauricio Ruffy (14th), before the aforementioned sixth-ranked Hooker battles eighth-ranked Benoit Saint Denis.
Whether it’s a grudge match against Hooker or a fight with another top lightweight, it’s tough to see any of the four men turning down the chance to face Pimblett once he returns to action.
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