What next for 'The Baddy': Recapping Paddy Pimblett's UFC 314 win

It would appear scousers do in fact not get knocked out, as the Liverpudlian born and bred Paddy 'The Baddy' Pimblett showed he was the real deal last weekend, dominating and finishing the all American 'Iron' Michael Chandler with brutal ground and pound in the third and final round for the biggest win of his career so far in Miami Florida for the co-main event of UFC 314.

Climbing up the rankings with this victory Pimblett has now entered the top ten in the lightweight rankings, making him the number 8 ranked lightweight in the world as of Monday this week. 

Pimblett faced adversity in the first round with Chandler bringing the fight to the floor with his high-level wrestling and brute strength, landing big blows to Paddy's head, but Paddy really proved to us that "Scousers don't get knocked out" by surviving Chandler's early onslaught.

When the fight entered the second round Pimblett began showcasing high level grappling, reversing Chandler and getting his back, nearly locking in chokes and landing brutal strikes, by the third round 'Iron' Michael Chandler was finished with Paddy rocking him with a knee and finishing the fight with a takedown and nasty ground and pound. 

After his fight, as usual, Pimblett stole the show with a hilarious post fight octagon interview, calling out top lightweights in Arman Tsyarukyan, Charles Oliviera, Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje, referring to Arman Tsyarukyan as a "Little posh boy" stating: "Anyone in the top four, top five, I want that world title, all laugh all you want and say I'll never be champ, just like you said I'll never get ranked, I'll never be on the top 10. 

"But what now you gang of Mushrooms," Pimblett hilariously added. 

Paddy Pimblett is now riding a big 7 fight unbeaten streak which is the second longest active win-streak at lightweight behind the champion Islam Makhachev, after devastating finishes against the likes of Bobby Green and Michael Chandler. 

It appears everyone is impressed with Paddy Pimblett at the moment and is only one or two wins away from a shot at gold, because of this Mixed Martial Arts fans around the world are asking, what is next for Paddy? 

Who are potential future opponents for Paddy Pimblett?

Charles Oliveira

Getty

One option that could appear to make sense for Pimblett would be the Brazilian number two ranked lightweight, former champion and all-time great Charles 'Do Bronx' Oliviera. Getting past Charles Oliviera is no easy task for anyone though as Oliviera is widely regarded as one of the best grapplers in UFC history, with 16 wins coming by submission, the most in UFC history.

Back in 2018 Oliviera began his reign of terror on the lightweight division accumulating an 11-fight win streak and winning the title by finishing the likes of Michael Chandler, Justin Gaethje and Dustin Poirier. More recently Charles has resumed the win column by defeating a mutual opponent in Pimblett for the second time, Oliviera defeated Michael Chandler by decision in their rematch in November of last year. 

In his post-fight speech Paddy expressed interest in fighting and said he would actually out-grapple 'Do Bronx'. Fans of the sport certainly seem to get behind this fight and a win over Charles Oliviera puts Pimblett on the cusp of a title shot. 

Justin Gaethje

Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images

Another viable option for Paddy Pimblett would be putting him against the American number 3 ranked lightweight and former BMF champion Justin 'The Highlight' Gaethje.

Gaethje is known for his explosive striking style and thunderous knockout power, he has fought just about everyone in the lightweight division bar Paddy.

Boasting an impressive 20 knockouts in 26 victories, 'The Highlight' is no easy opponent for anyone to have to face. Gaethje is coming off a decision win against contender Raphael Fiziev in a 3-round rematch and holds victories over the likes of Michael Chandler, Dustin Poirier, Eddie Alvarez, Raphael Fiziev, Tony Ferguson, Edson Barboza and Michael Johnson.  

Most fans believe this fight would be fireworks due to the explosive brawling style both him and Paddy possess. A win over the number three ranked Gaethje also puts Paddy into the title contention. 

Whatever is next for Paddy Pimblett will certainly draw eyes and pay-per-view buys after that performance at UFC 314 with the likes of Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen referring to him as "the UFC's next big star".

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