Pimblett (22-4 MMA, 7-0 UFC) edged one step closer to title contention when he scored a dominant third-round finish of former title challenger Chandler at UFC 314 in April. Chandler (23-10 MMA, 2-5 UFC) thinks Pimblett could go on to become UFC champion, even though he doesn't see his overall skillset as elite.

If Ilia Topuria and Paddy Pimblett both get their wishes, they could be up next after the new champ's stellar lightweight title win at UFC 317.

Pimblett is coming off a third-round TKO victory over Michael Chandler in his last outing at UFC 314 in April. “The Baddy” is 7-0 since he made his UFC debut, a first-round knockout against Luigi Vendramini in September 2021. Only two of his seven contests have gone to the judges’ scorecards since he joined the promotion.