Following Paddy Pimblett’s loss to Justin Gaethje at UFC 324, a former combat sports bruiser isn’t sure “The Baddy” can hold his own against elite competition.
Pimblett competed for the interim UFC Lightweight Championship in the top MMA promotion’s first event of 2026. Pimblett vs Gaethje headlined UFC’s debut on Paramount+. While Pimblett had some moments, he was battered on his way to a unanimous decision loss.
In the aftermath of UFC 324, Matt Brown isn’t exactly sold on “The Baddy” being able to bounce back against a top 10 opponent. During MMAFighting.com‘s “The Fighter vs. The Writer,” Brown admitted he doesn’t see where a win occurs for Pimblett even further down the list.
“That’s the problem with Paddy … I don’t know if I pick him against anybody in the top 10,” Brown said on the latest episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer. “Maybe even like top 12, top 13. I’m not sure how far I’d have to go down to find somebody I’d favor him against.”
Brown believes there is a 155-pound contender who should be given the chance to test Pimblett in his next outing.
“I mean look Paddy’s supposedly a top guy, he just fought for an interim title,” Brown said. “Give [Benoit Saint Denis] Paddy. Let’s see who is the top guy here. You’re in the UFC, you just fought for an interim title. There shouldn’t be anybody that Paddy doesn’t fight. You just fought for an interim title, buddy. These are all fair matchups. You were thought to be better than all these other guys. Go for it.”
In a video on his YouTube channel, Pimblett revealed that the worst damage he sustained during the fight with Gaethje was a scratched cornea. He plans to return to the Octagon this summer. “The Baddy” said he hopes Gaethje defeats Ilia Topuria to capture the undisputed UFC Lightweight Championship. Pimblett’s reasoning is that he wants to settle his grudge with “El Matador.”
Can Paddy Pimblett became an elite UFC lightweight? Voice your opinion in the comment section below.