Paddy Pimblett conspiracy theory emerges as UFC fans spot telling detail in new rankings

Paddy Pimblett has been given a new ranking following UFC 319, leaving MMA fans stunned.

Pimblett entered into the top 10 of the UFC lightweight division following his breakout victory against Michael Chandler last April.

He stopped Chandler in the third round of their lightweight clash at UFC 314 in Miami.

His position, however, has fluctuated since the biggest win of his MMA career.

Pimblett dropped down the UFC rankings following June's UFC 317, where he had a face-off against Ilia Topuria, who knocked out Charles Oliveira in the main-event.

And the Liverpool fighter has been given another ranking following last weekend's blockbuster UFC 319, where Khamzat Chimaev dominated Dricus Du Plessis to win the UFC middleweight title.

He has climbed two places to seventh, leapfrogging Beneil Dariush and Mateusz Gamrot.

Paddy Pimblett has moved up in the UFC lightweight rankings. Image: UFC

Pimblett's new UFC ranking didn't go unnoticed among fans online as they speculated on why he moved up.

One X user wrote: "Why did Paddy Pimblett randomly move up 2 spots in the rankings ???"

A second argued: "It's called Dana White privilege."

A third added: "Sets up a title shot with Ilia and makes the matchup more plausible."

Who is Paddy Pimblett fighting next?

Pimblett hasn't fought since April when he beat Chandler.

But he is raring to go and is hoping to land a mega-fight against Topuria next.

Ilia Topuria and Paddy Pimblett faced off at UFC 317. Image: Getty

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Pimblett said: "Hopefully, it is going to be me versus the chorizo next and I think that’s what all the Americans want because every American I’ve bumped into keeps saying, ‘When are you gonna smash that sausage’s head in?’

"I’m hoping that that gets sorted but I understand that I am ranked #9 or something so other people probably are more deserving."

The 30-year-old added: "As I always say, I’ve got nothing but respect for Justin, but I keep seeing in interviews him saying he doesn’t want to fight me. I think the only fight to make is me and Ilia. Seen Dan Hooker talking sh*t the other day as well. I used to like Dan Hooker, now you can eat sh*t."

Topuria hasn't got his next UFC assignment booked, with Pimblett an option, among other contenders including Arman Tsarukyan and Justin Gaethje.