Pimblett plans to re-sign with UFC after next fight

Lightweight contender Paddy Pimblett intends to remain with the UFC despite speculation that he'll leave the promotion following the final fight on his contract.

The 29-year-old's match against Bobby "King" Green at UFC 304 on July 27 in Manchester, England, is the last fight on his current deal.

"I want to be in the UFC, the pinnacle of the sport," Pimblett told TMZ Sports. "No other MMA promotion comes near it. I said something in an interview the other day, and they put it out of context and put a post up like I wanted to leave the UFC. It's crazy how people don't actually listen to the interview and just jump on that one little thing that's being posted."

Pimblett (21-3) is 5-0 in the UFC and has seen his stock steadily climb since his debut in 2021. He scored finishes in his first three fights, including a pair of submissions against Rodrigo Vargas and Jordan Leavitt. Pimblett earned unanimous decision wins in his past two matches, which includes his most recent fight against Tony Ferguson at UFC 296 in December.

While his contract status remains uncertain ahead of his next bout, Pimblett has figured out a path toward someday contending for the lightweight title. He envisions a timeline where he would fight Renato Moicano and then Beneil Dariush before facing a top-five opponent to earn himself a shot at the belt, Pimblett told the New York Post Sports.

In the short term, Pimblett is focused on handling Green, who's the 15th-ranked fighter in the division.