The lightweight division is buzzing, but not for the reasons fans may think. Paddy Pimblett is working hard and showing up to the gym with purpose, but no one knows who he’ll face next. Even Chael Sonnen, known for keeping up with every UFC twist, says he’s left with questions. With Ilia Topuria reportedly stepping away from public appearances due to personal reasons, the typical path to a blockbuster matchup has been disrupted.

This has left both insiders and fans wondering what’s next for the flamboyant Brit. But, as the mystery deepens, hints from Sonnen suggest the pieces of the puzzle may be falling into place, and they point in a surprising direction.

Chael Sonnen breaks down Paddy Pimblett’s fight situation

Sonnen confirmed on his YouTube channel that Paddy Pimblett is absolutely preparing for something, though the specifics remain unclear. “Shem Rock, a teammate of Paddy ‘The Baddy’s, is the closest to giving us actual info. I see him every day… He’s in preparation; he’s in training. Something’s up, but nobody really knows what it is,” Sonnen explained.

His words highlight the division’s tension: while ‘The Baddy’ is ready, Topuria’s absence creates a void that everyone wants to fill. With the Spanish-Georgian reportedly distracted with personal affairs, ‘The American Gangster’ speculated that Charles Oliveira could be Paddy Pimblett’s next opponent, especially after his decisive submission win over Mateusz Gamrot in Rio.

“So, if Paddy ‘The Baddy’ is not fighting Ilia, if Justin Gaethje is not fighting at all, my bigger question would be: who is Paddy fighting? And I think that Charles Oliveira would be the leading candidate,” Sonnen claimed on his YouTube channel. A Pimblett-Oliveira bout promises high stakes. Paddy Pimblett‘s fan-friendly style and persona, mixed with Oliveira’s technical prowess, might result in a spectacular battle that defines the division as it transitions into the Paramount+ era.

With Topuria inactive for now, this fight could also act as a springboard for the next title contender in the lightweight ranks. While no formal announcement has been made, UFC insiders say matchmakers are now considering timing and logistics. Fans may be frustrated by the delay, but it is increasingly likely that ‘The Baddy’ will compete soon. And while Chael Sonnen believes it will be against ‘Do Bronx,’ Shem Rock has revealed that, despite the period of inactivity, it will be Ilia Topuria who takes on ‘The Baddy’ next.

Shem Rock claims Ilia Topuria vs. Paddy Pimblett is still the main priority fight

Even though Topuria has stepped back from public appearances, Shem Rock, Paddy Pimblett’s training partner, insists the fight between ‘The Baddy’ and ‘El Matador’ remains the UFC’s top priority. Rock observes that Pimblett’s rigorous preparation “double weekly sparring, strength training, and recovery work — is clearly geared toward a major bout, rather than everyday training.”

The timing also fits the first major UFC card under the Paramount+ broadcast deal in January 2026, and the promotion wants a headline that will immediately draw attention. The fighters’ shared history adds to the drama. Previous confrontations, from Pimblett’s 2021 social media post referencing the 2008 Russian invasion of Georgia, leading to their near-physical clash at UFC 282, have created real tension.

Rock believes that the combination of star power and rivalry makes this bout an excellent fit for the debut Paramount event. “He’s a big star; Ilia’s a big star. The first pay-per-view of the year should be that,” he said. Dana White has stated that ‘El Matador’ might headline the Paramount debut, and while Gaethje had been considered for a title shot, the UFC seems to prefer the marketable Topuria-Pimblett matchup. But what do you think? Who will fight whom in this stacked lightweight division? Let us know in the comments.