Paddy Pimblett reveals target date for UFC return as Dana White says: ‘We'd love to have him back’
Updated 22/03/2026 at 11:37 GMT
Paddy Pimblett, having suffered his first UFC loss in January, has revealed when he will return to the Octagon. The Liverpool-born fighter watched his team-mate Luke Riley secure a points victory in the co-main event at UFC London on Saturday. President Dana White insists he would "love to have him back". Charles Oliveira has been touted as a potential opponent.
Highlights: Gaethje wins brutal bout with Pimblett to become new interim lightweight champion
Video credit: TNT Sports
Paddy Pimblett says he is targeting a return to the UFC this summer.
The 31-year-old last fought in January against Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight title, losing by decision.
Pimblett was sat cage-side for UFC London on Saturday to watch his team-mate Luke Riley beat Michael Aswell Jr on points in the co-main event.
UFC president Dana White asked Pimblett in his post-fight press conference when the Liverpool fighter next intends to step into the Octagon, to which Pimblett replied: "Hopefully international fight week."
White was asked by reporters if he was happy with that plan, replying: ”Whenever he wants to fight, we'd love to have him back."
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Highlights: Riley overpowers Aswell Jr. in bruising scrap
Video credit: TNT Sports
Pimblett’s defeat to Gaethje was his first since joining the UFC in 2021 and his first loss since 2018.
He had been on track to clash with Ilia Topuria but that defeat has dented his chances of competing for a title belt in his next bout.
Instead, it is Gaethje who will face Topuria at UFC White House on June 14 in Washington.
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According to the UFC’s official rankings, Pimblett is ranked sixth in the lightweight standings, so could be in line to face Charles Oliveira, Max Holloway, Benoit Saint Denis or Dan Hooker in his next fight.
Elsewhere at UFC London, Manchester's Lerone Murphy missed out on the chance to line up a shot at the UFC featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski as he lost a majority decision to Movsar Evloev in the main event.
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Highlights: Evloev triumphs over Murphy in London
Video credit: TNT Sports
Evloev was awarded the decision 48-46 on two judges' scorecards, with the other scoring it 47-47.
Also, Michael 'Venom' Page was also not too pleased despite victory over Sam Patterson, after a bout with little action and boos from the crowd.
The fight of the night came in the final prelim where Welshman Mason Jones defeated Axel Sola of France in a brutal contest. Jones won 30-27 and 29-28 twice.
All UFC events can be re-watched on the streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK, discovery+.
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