No matter what the UFC decides, someone’s bound to get hurt. Justin Gaethje has been a reliable and loyal part of UFC for years, whenever the promotion needed him. All he wants in return is a shot at the Georgian’s lightweight title. While reports suggest Ilia Topuria could feature atop 2026’s first card with Paramount, who his opponent will be remains a mystery. With the likes of Paddy Pimblett, Arman Tsarukyan, and Gaethje in the mix, the lightweight title picture is very intriguing as of now.

But ‘The Highlight’ has threatened retirement if not given a shot; his manager, Ali Abdelaziz, doubled down on those claims. He believes UFC is waiting to see what happens with Islam Makhachev and Jack Della Maddalena, and with Tsarukyan and Dan Hooker. But, Abdelaziz says, “if [Gaethje] gets jumped by Paddy, he will retire, and he will never fight again in the UFC.” Amid this chaos, Chael Sonnen has something to say. 

Paddy Pimblett is better than Justin Gaethje, says UFC legend

Looking at Gaethje’s dilemma, ‘The American Gangster’ claimed the Elevation Fight Team member was in “a unique situation.” But he suggested that if the UFC decides to give ‘The Baddy’ an opportunity, there’s nothing wrong with it.

“We don’t deny what you’ve done, but we need you. Don’t deny what Paddy’s done. And as great as you are, he’s undefeated. And as many guys as you beat, he’s beat those same guys,” Sonnen said from the UFC’s perspective. Sonnen even claimed that Pimblett defeated the likes of Michael Chandler and Tony Ferguson in a better fashion than Gaethje. “He beat him a little easier than you did, respectfully. He beat Chandler and Ferguson a little easier than you beat him.”

Sonnen might be a little biased here, as Gaethje may have defeated better versions of both fighters: interim champ Tony Ferguson via brutal fifth-round TKO and the explosive Michael Chandler in a 2021 Fight of the Year war. While Paddy Pimblett did dominate them, they were faded, declining shells of their prime selves. Gaethje’s violent finishes and legacy impact against elite opposition far outshine Pimblett’s impressive but lesser wins.

It’s an unusual situation for Gaethje, who has challenged for the undisputed lightweight title twice previously. But to be fair to the UFC, many fans don’t see a different outcome for ‘The Highlight’ if he fights Topuria, than when ‘El Matador’ finished Alexander Volkanovski, Max Holloway, and Charles Oliveira.

Paddy Pimblett and Arman Tsarukyan might be more durable in that sense, as they’re younger fighters who belong to the modern meta of MMA. Additionally, given Paddy’s animosity and the UFC 317 heated exchange against Topuria, there’s a possibility UFC favors him from a business perspective.

To add to Gaethje’s woes, Islam Makhachev appears to have an opponent other than him to fight for Ilia Topuria’s lightweight crown! 

Islam Makhachev reveals who deserves a shot at Ilia Topuria

Makhachev, of course, vacated the title to move up in weight, which allowed Ilia Topuria to get the title in the first place. Had he stayed, the pair would be fighting, that’s for sure. But since he isn’t, the Russian has named Arman Tsarukyan as the most deserving opponent, even though he pulled out of a fight against him. “Arman has to be next because this guy is deserving,” Makhachev told ESPN.

While Makhachev didn’t give Gaethje the honor, he wasn’t exactly against it either. But he was against Paddy Pimblett getting the fight. “He made a mistake when he was supposed to fight me, but he’s still number one in the division, and he has to fight for the title. Maybe Arman, maybe Gaethje, but not Paddy,” Makhachev said. He questioned who Pimblett has defeated.

“Chandler, everybody beat Chandler. He can do some things, but honestly, it’s not a big challenge for Topuria.”

Looks like Chael Sonnen is favoring Paddy Pimblett for the title shot, but if that happens, Justin Gaethje is gone. On top of that, former lightweight champion Islam Makhachev doesn’t share Sonnen’s view. And given that even he isn’t willing to give Pimblett a chance, it raises the question—does Paddy ‘The Baddy’ really deserve it?