Paddy Pimblett has often declared, “Scousers don’t get knocked out,” and at UFC 314, he lived up to those words. The Liverpudlian secured the biggest win of his career, defeating former Bellator champion Michael Chandler with an impressive display of his knockout power. Now riding a seven-fight unbeaten streak in the UFC, Pimblett is ready for the big leagues. The boy has become the man! The prospect has become a contender. Moreover, this confidence to climb up the ladder was pretty evident in Pimblett’s post-fight Octagon interview. This is what the Englishman had to say, “Anyone in the top four, top five (is who I want next). I want that world title. … I want Dustin (Poirier), Justin (Gaethje), Charles (Oliveira), or the little posh boy Arman (Tsarukyan) – any of them four.”

The Englishman showed some extra love to the Armenian as he branded him “sausage” and “helmet” during his rant after the massive win. This was the result of a constant back-and-forth between the two contenders leading up to UFC 314. And it seems that Dan Hooker is on board to see this bout next. Speaking to Submission Radio, the #6-ranked contender said, “Yeah yeah it was a big fire big fight, he’ll get, a real b– very impressive, you know what I mean? The way he was able to shut down Michael Chandler and kind of break his will, which is difficult to do. And a lot of fighters haven’t been able to do it. Yeah, big fight, I think they will either do I reckon Gaethje will get a title shot. And then Paddy and Arman make sense.”

Reporter Denis Shkuratov couldn’t help but ask, “What about you and Paddy man?” The Hangman’ replied: “I’ll fight just about anybody, brother. Will get all the shooting shots while you’re broken. Yeah, I would love to fight him, but I just think that he kind of shot his shot, and I feel like he rightfully deserves it, and I think he’ll get nothing. No one fights a seven, they fight number six, they fight number five, they fight number four.”

The New Zealander is correct because the Scouser has eyes only on the top. For the uninitiated, Tsarukyan was originally scheduled to fight Islam Makhachev for the title back in January. However, he was forced to withdraw just one day before the bout due to injury. At the UFC 311 post-fight presser, Dana White hinted that Tsarukyan would not get an immediate title shot upon recovery—opening the door for a potential clash with Pimblett.

Ahead of UFC 314, Arman Tsarukyan took to X to respond, claiming Pimblett has had “the easiest path to the top in the UFC” and Pimblett was more than glad to return the favor after his latest triumph. While Pimblett showcased impressive fight IQ, striking, and poise in dismantling Chandler, what followed made just as many headlines. He didn’t just call out names like Gaethje and Oliveira. He even set his sights on the king of the division: Islam Makhachev.

Paddy Pimblett has set his eyes on the prize and Islam Makhachev

Paddy Pimblett has set his sights on lightweight gold, calling out Islam Makhachev during his post-fight interview with a bold declaration: “I want that world title.” The statement drew immediate attention! Including current welterweight champ Belal Muhammad, who gave the potential matchup his stamp of approval on social media, posting: “Islam got a new contender.”

Now, the ball is in the UFC’s court to make the fight happen. With Makhachev’s close friend backing the idea, the possibility has momentum—but the path is far from clear. Moreover, the Dagestani had previously responded to the Englishman. “When he deserve, why not? If he won the next couple of match, when he’s gonna be top 10, why not?”

With Ilia Topuria moving to 155lbs, the division is even more stacked. His involvement could complicate Pimblett’s title aspirations. Adding to the drama is the long-standing rivalry between Pimblett and Topuria. This of course dates back to heated exchanges and a near altercation back in 2022.

With so many moving pieces in the lightweight division, will ‘The Baddy’ get his shot at the title? Or will another showdown come first? Drop your predictions in the comments below—what’s next for Pimblett, and will we ever see him square off with Topuria or Tsarukyan in the Octagon?