What's next for Paddy Pimblett? Well, he has three potential options available to him, including a UFC grudge match against a top contender.
Pimblett came up short in his bid to become interim UFC lightweight champion at UFC 324 last Saturday.
He lost a five-round war to Justin Gaethje, who secured a unanimous decision victory in Las Vegas.
Pimblett survived a huge scare in the first round of their title fight as he took Gaethje the distance in what is an early contender for Fight of the Year.
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While Dana White didn't love one aspect of Pimblett's UFC 324 performance, the Liverpool star enhanced his budding reputation and gained plenty of praise for the heart shown against Gaethje.
With UFC 324 in the books, we take a look at what's next for Pimblett.
Take an indefinite break from MMA to recover
Even though his UFC 324 fight was his first assignment since April 2025, an indefinite break from MMA could help Pimblett in the long run.
His UFC career is still very young, but he's already at the upper echelon of the division.
A break would not only allow Pimblett to completely recover from the physical damage suffered against Gaethje but could also replenish his well-being following a gruelling camp.
The days of him ballooning up in weight are somewhat over; I wouldn't expect the 31-year-old to be away from Next Generation. He could continue to tick away in the gym and work on his already world-class skillset and hone his craft to become an even better fighter ahead of returning to action towards the back end of 2026.
Make a quick turnaround at UFC London
No bone breaks or ligament damage, so Pimblett walked away from his five-round battle with aesthetic injuries, including cuts and bruises on his face.
So, he could feasibly make a quick turnaround and there's the ideal slot for him if he wanted to return as soon as possible.
The famed Octagon sets up shop in London's O2 Arena on March 21, with the Fight Night card still without an official headliner.
A main-event bout is thought to be in the works, but Pimblett against a top UFC lightweight contender would be the perfect option to headline the card given his popularity among UK MMA fans. Tickets would sell like hot cakes and it would be a much bigger event with 'The Baddy' on it.
Fight in the summer against Dan Hooker
Pimblett vs. Dan Hooker - book it. The fight makes too much sense.
If Pimblett doesn't fancy headlining UFC London and doesn't want to take a lengthy break away from the sport, then a summer return appears likely.
A fight date in May/June/July would probably be on the cards and Hooker is the perfect dance partner to welcome him back to the UFC.
Hooker, who is set to face Benoit Saint-Denis at this weekend's UFC 325 in Sydney, is highly-ranked in the UFC lightweight division, validating the match-up. And there's heat. A lot.
Pimblett vs. Hooker would be a grudge match given their recent exchanges, which turned nasty when the veteran New Zealand fighter referenced Pimblett's dead mate, who committed suicide. His comments were sparked after Pimblett made an unsavoury remark about his rival's mum.
Topics: Paddy Pimblett, UFC
Nasir Jabbar