UFC 317: Paddy Pimblett 'going after' winner of Ilia Topuria v Charles Oliveira en route to becoming two-division champion

Paddy Pimblett says he has ambitions of becoming a champion in two different UFC weight classes. The 30-year-old is eighth in the lightweight rankings after securing a dominant victory over Michael Chandler in April. Pimblett was speaking ahead of UFC 317, where Ilia Topuria and Charles Oliveira will go toe-to-toe for the vacant lightweight title, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

Paddy Pimblett harbours ambitions of becoming a UFC champion in two different weight classes and would be open to facing either Ilia Topuria or Charles Oliveira for the lightweight title. 

Topuria and Oliveira go toe-to-toe at UFC 317 in Las Vegas on Saturday evening, as they vie for the vacant lightweight title. You can watch it live on TNT Sports 1 and discovery+.

And Pimblett, who is eighth in the UFC’s lightweight rankings after a dominant victory over Michael Chandler in April, wants to face either Topuria or Oliveira en route to becoming a two-division champion. 

UFC 317 Topuria-Oliveira

Topuria has 'biggest knockout power the sport has ever seen'

01/07/2025 at 09:09

The 30-year-old told MMA Junkie: "I want to eventually go for two belts, but I want to get a legacy in my own division. I'd like to defend the belt two or three times and then go for the welterweight belt.

"It doesn't matter. I'm always coming after the champ, so whoever wins [Saturday] night, that's who I'm going after. 

"That's what you have to prepare for, to fight the champ. I'm not concerned about anything. Whatever fight I get offered, I'll take that fight, and then I'll be going for the title."

Oliveira vows to walk out of UFC 317 'with my hand raised' from Topuria showdown

Video credit: TNT Sports

Pimblett also insisted that the lightweight division’s No. 1-ranked contender Arman Tsarukyan should "sit and wait" his turn for a shot at the belt. 

The Liverpudlian added that he may be granted the next title challenge should Topuria beat Oliveira.

Speaking to Helen Yee Sports about Tsarukyan, Pimblett said: "A couple of months ago, I would have said yeah, but then he started chatting s*** about me.

"So no, the little p**** can sit and wait, and go win a fight before he gets a title shot. F*** him.

"If Ilia wins, it wouldn’t surprise me if I end up fighting him next. But we’ll just see what happens.

"It’s not up to me. It’s up to Dana [White], Hunter [Campbell], and Sean Shelby who fights him next."

• ‘The fight was done’ – White says Jones ‘changed his mind’ after agreeing Aspinall bout
• Exclusive: Pimblett eyes Topuria title shot - 'I'll absolutely kick him everywhere'

How to watch UFC 317 in the UK

UFC 317 will be live on TNT Sports 1 and discovery+ and coverage of the preliminary bouts starts from 01:00 UK time on Sunday, June 29.

You can also watch via UFC Fight Pass.

UFC 317 Topuria-Oliveira

'Humble guy' Van in line to be first 2000s-born title challenger in Pantoja showdown

29/06/2025 at 09:27

UFC 317 Topuria-Oliveira

'I don't think this is going the distance' - Oliveira predicting fireworks in lightweight title bout

26/06/2025 at 19:12