Hold onto your seats, fight fans, because the UFC world is buzzing with a feud that’s as fiery as it is fascinating. Paddy Pimblett has fired back at Islam Makhachev with a verbal takedown that’s turning heads and sparking debates. But here’s where it gets controversial: after Makhachev, the former UFC lightweight champion, dismissed Pimblett’s title credentials, the British fighter didn’t just brush it off—he went on the offensive, calling Makhachev a ‘little bum’ and predicting a brutal loss for the Russian in his upcoming fight against Jack Della Maddalena (JDM).
Let’s rewind for a moment. Earlier this year, Ilia Topuria shook the MMA world by knocking out Charles Oliveira to claim the vacant lightweight title. In a surprising twist, Topuria had an impromptu face-off with Pimblett, leaving fans speculating about a potential title defense. However, UFC president Dana White quickly shut down the idea, stating the face-off was premature. And this is the part most people miss: despite White’s dismissal, rumors are swirling that the UFC is considering Topuria vs. Pimblett as the headline fight for their first event of 2026, marking the start of their massive $7.7 billion deal with Paramount. Talk about a plot twist!
As the lightweight division reacts to this potential matchup, opinions are divided. BMF champion Max Holloway, for instance, has criticized the UFC rankings, suggesting the promotion prioritizes drama over merit—a bold claim that’s hard to ignore. Holloway argues that Pimblett’s ranking at number six is more about entertainment value than actual skill. Is he right, or is there more to the story?
Makhachev, meanwhile, has been equally dismissive, stating Pimblett isn’t a ‘real challenge’ for Topuria. But Pimblett isn’t one to back down. In a recent interview with UFC Europe, he didn’t hold back, openly rooting for JDM to ‘batter’ Makhachev and even challenging the Russian to return to lightweight for a showdown. ‘I’ll punch your head in as well,’ Pimblett declared, adding fuel to an already blazing fire.
Here’s the kicker: Makhachev once claimed he’d fight Pimblett if the Brit cracked the top 10. Now that Pimblett is there, and Makhachev has moved up to welterweight in pursuit of a two-weight championship, the question remains: will this fight ever happen? Is Makhachev avoiding Pimblett, or is he simply focused on bigger challenges?
This feud isn’t just about words—it’s about pride, rankings, and the future of the lightweight division. Pimblett’s grappling credentials have some fans believing he could pose a threat to Makhachev’s dominant style, while others see this as a mismatch. What do you think? Is Pimblett a legitimate contender, or is this all just hype? Let’s keep the debate going in the comments—this is one conversation you won’t want to miss!
