Paddy Pimblett continues to tease his next fight under the UFC banner and this time, we’re finally getting some actual information as to when he’ll be back in the octagon.
It’s been almost seven months since ‘The Baddy’ submitted MMA veteran Bobby ‘King’ Green to secure his sixth consecutive win in the promotion.
Since then, the British lightweight has been called out left and right by various fighters, even visiting a rival gym to choke out a vocal local challenger, but when will his next legitimate MMA bout be booked for?
Paddy Pimblett reveals he’s 10 weeks away from UFC return fight
Speaking on a VLOG shared to his YouTube channel, Paddy Pimblett revealed that he’s now entered the early stages of camp and that his next UFC opponent has been confirmed behind the scenes.
“Now lad, the week’s all about training. Spar Tuesday/Thursday, gonna hit pads… Have to get a few runs in. Get the fitness back up, get the weight back down. Getting ready for a fight.
“Obviously, everyone doesn’t even know it still, but I’ve got an opponent, so it just needs to get announced.”
Later in the VLOG, Pimblett disclosed that he was around 10 weeks out from his next UFC fight.
Given how this video was filmed between UFC Saudi Arabia (February 1) and UFC 312 (February 8), that puts Paddy Pimblett’s next fight as taking place in early April – UFC 314 in Miami is scheduled for April 12, 2025.
“I’ve done five rounds sparring in the gym so I’m a little bit fatigued… But it feels good, getting right back into it. Started the diet yesterday. Ten weeks out. So, I’ll make weight easily.”
That 10-week timeline was also reaffirmed by one of his training partners, who stated that “he’s fighting in about 10-11 weeks,” and that the team are starting on “working some gameplan stuff for his opponent.”
Whilst there was no mention of an opponent, there has been speculation that Pimblett could be set to face either Renato Moicano or Michael Chandler; with popular veteran Dustin Poirier recently removing himself from that shortlist.
Paddy Pimblett shares thoughts on UFC 312, and UFC Saudi Arabia
With UFC 312: Du Plessis vs Strickland 2 taking place later this evening, Pimblett would offer his thoughts on the middleweight matchup – with his prevailing prediction being ‘too close to call’.
“Strickland versus Du Plessis, with how close the first fight was, I cannot decide who I think will win that one – it really could go either way.
“The first fight, a lot of people scored for Strickland, that first fight was so close, someone needs to come out and finish the other one in this fight – could go either way.”
Pimblett also commented on UFC Saudi Arabia, in which former middleweight champion Israel Adesanya was knocked out by surging French contender Nassourdine Imavov.
“It’s all a— on Izzy, you know what I mean. Went from like seven years of world title fights, winning most of them and now he’s getting bingo’d by rank five, it’s heavy… I thought it was an early stoppage though, wouldn’t be happy if that was me, lad. I’d be complaining about that.
“Khamzat’s next for the belt, isn’t he? But after Strickland-Du Plessis, it looks like Imavov will get the next title shot.”
Catch up on all of tonight’s middleweight action on Bloody Elbow, UFC 312 goes down live from Australia on Saturday, February 8.