“When I was 19, 20, I was saying I was going to be the biggest MMA star on the planet. I’m proving people wrong, and it gives me a fuzzy feeling—it makes my day.” With those words, UFC lightweight contender Paddy Pimblett put his critics on notice. Earlier this month, the Liverpool native showcased a different side of his game. Instead of relying on his trademark grappling, ‘The Baddy’ chose to stand and trade with one of the division’s most seasoned veterans, Michael Chandler.

What followed at UFC 314 in Miami was nothing short of jaw-dropping. The Liverpudlian went the distance in a war and closed the show with a brutal knockout that sent shockwaves through the MMA world. It was more than a statement win—it was a declaration that Paddy Pimblett belongs among the elite at 155lbs. Still, despite his popularity, there were plenty of skeptics before the bout who questioned his legitimacy, especially following his controversial win over Jared Gordon at UFC 282. But true to form, Pimblett embraced the hate and turned it into motivation. One of those critics? None other than former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping.

But after witnessing the verbose Englishman’s breakout performance, even Bisping had to admit he was wrong. While enjoying some downtime on his yacht in Cabo San Lucas, Bisping reflected on his misjudgment in a candid YouTube video. “You know, Paddy Pimblett was a guy who was kind of discounted. And there were a lot of critics out there, all stemming from the Jared Gordon fight. You can’t hold that against him. And I’ll be honest, I’ll hold my hand up—maybe I was guilty of that as well. When I saw that, I thought, ‘Yeah, he’s going to have a hard time cracking the top 10 or becoming the champion.’ But after that performance against Michael Chandler—mate, anything is possible.”

And now, Pimblett has officially flipped the script. Leaving the doubts and criticisms behind, the Liverpudlian has firmly positioned himself as a legitimate threat in the UFC’s ever-deepening lightweight pool. Since Islam Makhachev took over as champion, the division has only become more stacked—and more chaotic. With elite names like Charles Oliveira, Justin Gaethje, Arman Tsarukyan, and even Ilia Topuria now hovering near title contention, it’s no small feat that Pimblett has entered the title conversation.

But after his jaw-dropping knockout of Chandler at UFC 314, fans and analysts alike believe he’s just one win away from a shot at gold. And the Scouser’s not shying away from the spotlight. He’s declared his goal of becoming champion by 2026—a vision now echoed even by Bisping, who believes the Liverpudlian is right on track. So what’s next for ‘The Baddy’? Let’s take a closer look.

Who is Paddy Pimblett’s next opponent after UFC 314 dominance?

“Once I finish Michael Chandler, I’ll only need one more fight… Beat a top-five guy, and I’ll be in a position to demand a title shot in 2026,” Paddy Pimblett confidently stated ahead of UFC 314. At the time, it sounded ambitious—maybe even wishful. But after the dominant display he put on in Miami, that prediction now feels more like a roadmap than a fantasy. With 2025 nearing its midpoint, the Scousers’ rise through the ranks has picked up serious momentum.

As for Chandler, he’s now looking to make his return later this year, potentially on a UFC card in the Middle East. But that win has punched Paddy’s ticket into title contention. Naturally, the focus has shifted to what’s next for the surging Liverpool star. And according to Michael Bisping, one name stands out above the rest: Charles Oliveira.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Bisping revealed, “Paddy called out Charles Oliveira, Justin Gaethje, Dustin Poirier—he name-dropped them all. But there was a clear emphasis on Oliveira. That’s the fight I think gets made. Paddy’s jiu-jitsu is top-tier, and Charles is the submission king. He’s got the most bonuses, the most finishes, and he’s a former champion. Right now, Oliveira doesn’t have a fight lined up—and this could be the perfect matchup.”

What’s your take on Bisping’s perspective? Do you think Paddy Pimblett has what it takes to shut down his critics? And is his path to a title shot really as smooth as he believes it will be? Share your thoughts below!