Islam Makhachev’s next fight has been a topic of much speculation ever since his dominant victory over Renato Moicano at UFC 311. With several top contenders in the lightweight division vying for a shot at the title, including Ilia Topuria and former BMF champion Justin Gaethje, the identity of Makhachev’s next opponent remains uncertain. Fans are eagerly awaiting the announcement of his return to the Octagon, which is expected to occur sometime this summer, possibly during the UFC’s International Fight Week in June.
Makhachev has also hinted at the possibility of moving up in weight, potentially targeting the welterweight or middleweight divisions, depending on the outcome of the upcoming welterweight showdown between his teammate Belal Muhammad and Jack Della Maddalena. This uncertainty surrounding his next fight has led many to believe that a superfight with Topuria could be on the horizon. Topuria, who has already vacated his featherweight title and moved up to challenge for the lightweight belt, is a fan-favorite pick for Makhachev’s next opponent. However, Arman Tsarukyan, who was initially scheduled to fight Makhachev at UFC 311 but withdrew on short notice due to injury, will likely have to secure at least one more win before getting another shot at the lightweight title.
While Topuria remains one of the top contenders, Makhachev’s longtime coach, Javier Mendez, has put forward an unexpected name for the lightweight champion’s next title defense. Mendez has publicly expressed his belief that UFC rising star Paddy Pimblett could be a worthy challenger for Makhachev’s title. In a recent episode of the Javier & Mo Show, Mendez explained that Pimblett, despite his relatively limited UFC experience compared to some of the other top contenders, has earned his place in the title conversation.
“Paddy’s ready to face anybody, what he’s done already, his credentials, his winning record in the UFC and his hype and what he can do and how he can motivate people, if [the UFC] gives him the next title shot, he deserves it,” Mendez said. “So whoever they give it to, they give, so let’s see who they give it to…”
Mendez went on to highlight that Pimblett’s rise in the UFC has been nothing short of impressive, citing his fanbase and growing popularity. “Who gets into the arena with him next? I don’t know. But is [Paddy] worthy? Yes. He’s very interesting and he’s got the whole of England behind him. Most of America will be behind him. He has a lot of fans, and I’m a fan. I wasn’t a big fan at the beginning, I was not, when he fought Jared Gordon…but I’ve become a huge fan.”
This statement from Mendez is surprising, considering that Pimblett, while immensely popular, has yet to face the same level of competition that Makhachev has overcome in his lightweight title reign. Makhachev has already dismantled top-tier opponents such as Dustin Poirier and Alexander Volkanovski, the latter of whom is a two-time UFC featherweight champion. Makhachev’s dominance in the lightweight division has established him as one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the UFC, making any potential fight with Pimblett an intriguing matchup.
Pimblett has generated significant hype following his performances in the UFC, capturing the attention of fans around the world, particularly in his home country of England. While he has faced some criticism for his fighting style, many believe his personality and marketability could make him a major draw for the UFC. Mendez’s endorsement of Pimblett highlights the respect he has earned within the MMA community, even from established figures like Mendez, who were initially skeptical of his abilities.
Pimblett’s rise to prominence has also been accompanied by his charismatic personality, which has helped him garner a large fanbase both in the UK and in the US. His ability to connect with fans and generate excitement for his fights is a key factor that has contributed to his rapid rise within the UFC. Mendez’s comments underscore the growing importance of marketability and fan support in determining title shots, even if Pimblett’s experience at the highest level is still limited.
As the UFC continues to shape its lightweight division, Makhachev’s next fight remains uncertain, but the inclusion of Pimblett in the conversation shows that the landscape of title shots may not always be determined solely by the merit of past victories. The possibility of Pimblett facing Makhachev in a future title fight raises questions about how the UFC balances popularity with performance when it comes to matchmaking.
Whether or not the UFC decides to give Pimblett a shot at Makhachev remains to be seen, but the coach’s surprising endorsement has certainly added an interesting twist to the ongoing discussions surrounding Makhachev’s next fight. For now, the lightweight division remains one of the most exciting and unpredictable in the UFC, with several potential matchups that could shape the future of the sport.
