Paddy Pimblett Predicts Alexander Volkanovski’s Move to Lightweight
Paddy Pimblett, also known as “The Baddy,” has been making waves in the UFC lightweight division, and he believes that if he becomes the undisputed champion, Alexander Volkanovski might move up to face him in pursuit of two-division glory. Pimblett is set to fight Justin Gaethje at UFC 324 for the interim lightweight strap, and if he wins, he could be upgraded to the undisputed status if champion Ilia Topuria’s return is delayed.
According to Pimblett, Volkanovski, the current and two-time UFC featherweight champion, has his sights set on the lightweight division, and a potential fight between the two could be on the horizon. In a recent interview with Tom Aspinall, Pimblett stated, “I think if I win and he wins, and I get upgraded to undisputed champ, it wouldn’t surprise me if [Volk] thinks that’s the perfect opportunity to win the lightweight belt.” However, Pimblett has made it clear that he has no desire to fight Volkanovski, saying, “I don’t want to fight Volk, I proper like Volk.”
Alexander Volkanovski has competed in the UFC lightweight division three times, with his last two appearances being title fights against Islam Makhachev. Although he lost both fights, Volkanovski has expressed interest in facing Ilia Topuria and Islam Makhachev again at lightweight. However, such matchups do not appear likely in the immediate future, as Volkanovski is slated to run it back with Diego Lopes at UFC 325.
Volkanovski’s Future Plans
After his fight against Lopes, Volkanovski plans on fighting either Lerone Murphy or Movsar Evloev. There have also been rumors about Volkanovski potentially retiring after UFC 325. Tom Aspinall, a fan of Volkanovski, believes that if he wins against Lopes, he should retire, saying, “I hope he does retire. And I am the biggest Volk fan out there. I want him to retire. If he wins this one, leave it.”
It’s worth noting that Volkanovski has been open about his desire to fight at lightweight, and a potential matchup against Pimblett could be a exciting one for fans. However, it remains to be seen whether Volkanovski will indeed move up to lightweight and face Pimblett, or if he will continue to compete in the featherweight division.
Expert Analysis
According to experts, a fight between Pimblett and Volkanovski would be a highly anticipated one, with both fighters having a strong following and a history of exciting performances. However, it’s unclear whether Volkanovski will be able to overcome the challenges of moving up to lightweight, where he has had mixed results in the past.
As the situation continues to unfold, fans will be keeping a close eye on both Pimblett and Volkanovski, waiting to see what the future holds for these two talented fighters. With their skills and dedication to the sport, it’s likely that we will see some exciting matchups in the future, regardless of whether they face each other or not.
