Paddy Pimblett says he would like to combat Ilia Topuria in Abu Dhabi in October however his opponent is most probably to be Justin Gaethje.
Liverpool’s Pimblett earned a press release win over Michael Chandler final month earlier than calling for his subsequent bout to be in opposition to an opponent ranked within the high 5.
Spain’s Topuria faces Brazil’s Charles Oliveira for the light-weight belt at UFC 317 on 28 June after former champion Islam Makhachev vacated his belt to maneuver as much as welterweight.
American Gaethje does not have a combat booked and is third within the UFC’s light-weight rankings – 5 locations above Pimblett.
The UFC often hosts a numbered occasion in Abu Dhabi in October however a possible date for this yr’s present is but to be set.
“I am hoping to combat in Abu Dhabi in October. I feel that is when I will be again within the cage,” Pimblett advised BBC Sport.
“I used to be considering Ilia would possibly name me out if he wins [against Oliveira]. I might like to beat him if he will get the belt.
“I might like to combat him anyway however he is booked, so I feel it is greater than seemingly Justin Gaethje.”
Pimblett has historical past with former featherweight champion Topuria after the pair clashed at a resort earlier than UFC London in 2022.
Topuria, 28, vacated his belt earlier this yr to maneuver as much as light-weight, opening the door to a possible combat with Pimblett.
Gaethje, in the meantime, final fought in March with a win over Rafael Fiziev – and with 20 knockouts from 26 bouts, he stays one of the standard fighters on the roster.
With fourth-ranked Max Holloway going through fifth-ranked Dustin Poirier on 19 July, the one different fighter and not using a combat booked within the high 5 is Armenia’s Arman Tsarukyan, who Pimblett has little interest in.
“Nobody [cares] about Arman Tsarukyan and other people really need to watch Gaethje combat. Individuals know it will be an thrilling combat, me versus Gaethje,” stated Pimblett.
“Tsarukyan, he is simply an absolute instrument, after which it is me and Gaethje.
“One win away and I will be preventing for the belt. Yeah, that is all the time been the goal. It is the one goal that we’ve got.”
