<h1>Paddy Pimblett's Next Fight: The Baddy Eyes Elite Opposition After Chandler Domination</h1> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Liverpool lightweight sensation delivered his biggest statement yet, and finally, we know something about his future: Paddy Pimblett has his sights set on the UFC's elite tier.</p> <p>What would have been simply unthinkable a short while ago is now a goal we all need to start taking seriously, as when you absolutely demolish a former title challenger like Michael Chandler, it’s time for people to start taking notice in a whole different way.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>The Chandler Destruction That Changed Everything</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Let's be real about what happened at UFC 314 in Miami back in April. Pimblett didn't simply win his fight against Michael Chandler; he dominated his opponent completely, securing a third-round TKO that left absolutely no doubt about who the better fighter was that night.</p> <p>If you follow the UFC regularly and didn’t miss that fight, you know that it was the kind of performance that can transform a fighter's trajectory overnight.</p> <p>Chandler came in as the veteran, the former Bellator champion who'd gone toe-to-toe with some of the best lightweights in the world.</p> <p>But "The Baddy" made his success look almost easy, out-striking and out-grappling the American before the referee stepped in at 3:07 of the third round.</p> <p>And now we know we all witnessed what could be Pimblett’s entry into legitimate title contention territory, as at 32 years old, the Scouser has now won nine straight fights and proved he can handle the pressure against elite-level opposition.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>The Two-Man Shortlist for What's Next</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>If you have been following the news, you know that Pimblett isn't one to play coy about who he wants next. The fighter has a clear two-man shortlist, and both names would represent massive steps up in competition.</p> <p>First up is Justin Gaethje, the former interim lightweight champion who's known for his absolutely brutal striking and granite chin.</p> <p>According to recent reports, a Pimblett vs Gaethje UFC fight&nbsp; is "more than likely" to happen, and you can understand why. Gaethje represents exactly the kind of ranked opponent that could catapult Pimblett into title shot discussions with a victory.</p> <p>But Pimblett is also open to facing Ilia Topuria, the current featherweight champion. And this is what sounds like a very bold call.</p> <p>Topuria has been making noise about potentially moving up to lightweight, and a clash with Pimblett would be absolutely massive from a promotional standpoint.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Why These Fights Make Perfect Sense</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>It's not hard to see why Pimblett is targeting these specific opponents, as both represent different paths to the same destination: a shot at the lightweight title.</p> <p>The Gaethje fight would be classic violence meets technique, as "The Highlight" brings that devastating leg kick game and forward pressure that's given problems to some of the best lightweights in the division.</p> <p>But Pimblett's grappling advantage could be the deciding factor because we have all seen how effectively he controlled Chandler on the ground.</p> <p>The Topuria option is more complex but potentially more rewarding. If the Georgian champion does move up to 155 pounds, a win over him would instantly put Pimblett in line for a title shot.</p> <p>And then there’s the storytelling aspect of two European fighters with massive followings going head-to-head that would bring Pimblett to the front page of every media outlet in the world.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>No More Stepping Stones: Pimblett Faces the Gauntlet</h2> <p>It’s too early to tell if Paddy Pimblett's next fight will be with Gaethje in October or we will have to wait for a potential superfight with Topuria later in the year, but we know that he is getting ready for the biggest fights of his career.</p> <p>The Chandler victory changed his trajectory in the UFC world, and suddenly, "The Baddy" is no longer just a popular fighter with a good social media following; he's a legitimate contender in one of the UFC's most competitive divisions.</p> <p>Both potential opponents present unique challenges, but that's exactly what Pimblett needs for his next fight and at this stage of his career.</p> <p>No more stepping stones, no more building fights: 2025 is the time for the kind of matchups that either elevate you to championship level or expose the gaps in your game.</p> <p>Given how he handled the pressure against Chandler, we have reason to believe that Pimblett is ready for whatever comes next. The lightweight division better take notice: The Baddy isn't just coming for ranked opponents anymore; he's coming for titles.</p>