​LAS VEGAS — Paddy Pimblett is convinced that a UFC lightweight title shot is in his near future. The 24-4 MMA, 8-1 UFC veteran, who bounced back from an interim-title setback to Justin Gaethje by swiftly dispatching Benoit Saint Denis (18-3 MMA, 9-4 UFC) in the UFC 329 co-main event at T-Mobile Arena, made his ambitions clear when asked what comes next. While he didn’t name a specific opponent, he emphasized his unwavering dream of becoming a UFC champion and highlighted his goal of representing Liverpool as the first-ever world champion from the city.
“I want to be a world champion,” Pimblett told the post-fight press conference after UFC 329. “I want to be the undisputed champion of the world. I want to be the first-ever world champion from Liverpool, and I’m going to do that. I know that’s in my destiny. I know it’s in my fate. Whether it’s the next fight or the next 10 fights, I’m going to be a world champion. It’s that simple. If you want me to fight Justin next, if you want me to fight Arman Tsarukyan next, if you want me to fight Ilia Topuria next, if you want me to fight Charles Oliveira next, anyone can get it.”
Entering UFC 329 as an underdog and facing widespread doubt, Pimblett treats such narratives as ordinary in his career trajectory. He believes the pattern mirrors itself each time he steps into the octagon, a cycle he has grown accustomed to and embraced.
“Yeah, the goalposts will get moved,” Pimblett said. “Everyone will say, ‘Huh, BSD was sh*t anyway.’ You know what I mean? When two days ago it was, ‘BSD, he’s going to smash Paddy. His grappling is way better. He’s got too much power for him,’ this and that. People just love moving the goalposts with me, and I don’t give a f*ck. Move them all you want. As long as I keep winning, I keep getting paid and keep making steps toward being a world champion. You can say what you want. Anyone can say what they want about me. Simple.”
Pimblett’s triumph at UFC 329 continued to build the narrative around his championship pursuit, reinforcing the belief among fans and pundits that a title shot could be on the horizon sooner rather than later. Even as opponents and matchups swirl on the horizon, Pimblett remains focused on the overarching objective: securing a world title and carrying the flame for his hometown on the global stage.
This report originally appeared on MMA Junkie, highlighting Pimblett’s emphasis on chasing the UFC title rather than dwelling on specific opponents after his UFC 329 victory.