Paddy Pimblett isn’t short of options for his next fight.
The Liverpudlian is hopeful that he will get an immediate shot at bitter rival Ilia Topuria‘s lightweight crown after their back-and-forth in the cage at UFC 317.
However, it would appear that he is still one fight away from cementing his place at the front of the queue.
Pimblett is currently ranked No.10 at 155lbs and would traditionally need to beat a top five opponent to earn himself a title fight.
At this stage, it seems more plausible that the UFC will choose No.2 contender Arman Tsarukyan as Topuria’s first defence of his 155lbs strap.
The Armenian had a title fight fall through with Topuria’s predecessor, Islam Makhachev, earlier this year, and made weight as the back-up fighter for Topuria’s clash with Charles Oliveira last weekend for the vacant lightweight belt.
If the UFC choose to go down that path, then Pimblett believes that he will either face Justin Gaethje or Dan Hooker next.
“It would more than likely be Gaethje, to be honest,” Pimblett told the Verse Us Podcast with Eric Nicksick
“I don’t think anyone cares about watching Arman Tsarukyan fight…no one gives a f*** about him.
“I reckon it would be Gaethje. Obviously, (Dustin) Poirier’s retiring.
“(Max) Holloway’s gonna have a f***** war with him, so obviously he’s not fighting for a few months… Dan Hooker, maybe.”
Hooker (24-12) is placed No.7 at lightweight and is currently riding a three-fight winning streak over Claudio Puellas, Jalin Turner and Mateusz Gamrot.
Here’s how they match up ahead of a potential title clashFormer interim champion Gaethje (26-5) has won three of his last fights, including two points victories against Rafael Fiziev, a stoppage win over Dustin Poirier and a last-gasp knockout loss to Max Holloway.
Hooker and Gaethje were initially scheduled to face each other in March at UFC 313.
However, Hooker pulled out of the fight with a hand injury and was subsequently replaced by Fiziev.
Pimblett is expected to return on an Abu Dhabi bill in October, which is likely to fit into Hooker and Gaethje’s schedules as both are without a fight at the time of writing.
There are, however, reservations about Gaethje’s willingness to face Pimblett after his manager, Ali Abdelaziz, claimed his client would retire if he wasn’t given a title shot in his next outing.
“Justin Gaethje fights the winner,” Abdelaziz told Submission Radio.
Former interim lightweight title holder Gaethje could face Pimblett nextGetty Images - Getty As too could No.7 ranked HookerGetty“He’s won three of his last four, he saved the UFC two times. They needed him, and he’s there.
“The guy did so much for the sport. If anyone said he doesn’t deserve it [it’s him].
“He said, ‘If I’m not going to fight for the title, I’m just going to hang up my gloves.’”
If that proves to be the case then Hooker serves as a solid option for Pimblett next.
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