Paddy Pimblett, the rising UFC lightweight contender, has his sights set on a potential fight with former UFC champion Rafael dos Anjos. Pimblett made a notable return to the octagon during the UFC 304 main card in Manchester, marking his first fight since his victory over Tony Ferguson in December. His opponent, King Green, was seen as a significant challenge, having recently secured a win against Jim Miller in April.
In a dominant performance, Pimblett managed to submit Green in less than a round, reinforcing his growing reputation in the division. Following this victory, he expressed interest in fighting Renato Moicano. Pimblett even mentioned the possibility of coaching against Moicano on The Ultimate Fighter, indicating his eagerness to engage with the Brazilian fighter.
However, Pimblett is also considering other potential matchups. In a post-fight interview with Full Send MMA, he revealed his interest in fighting Rafael dos Anjos, who is coming off a unanimous decision loss to Mateusz Gamrot in March. Pimblett’s desire to face dos Anjos is partly fueled by comments the Brazilian has made in the past, adding a personal element to the potential bout.
Dos Anjos has not yet scheduled his return to the cage and has expressed interest in moving up to welterweight. Despite this, Pimblett remains open to the possibility of fighting dos Anjos if he stays in the lightweight division. Pimblett believes that a fight with dos Anjos could help him climb higher in the rankings, especially if dos Anjos decides to switch weight classes.
Pimblett acknowledges the likelihood of a fight with Moicano over dos Anjos but remains defiant about his readiness to confront the former champion. He referenced past tweets from dos Anjos about him and expressed a willingness to face him if the opportunity arises. Ultimately, while Pimblett is leaning towards a bout with Moicano, he remains open to various possibilities as his UFC career progresses.
