Rumored Max Holloway Vs Paddy The Baddy (Title Eliminator)

[Jose Beehive]

"Max Holloway vs Paddy Pimblett CONFIRMED For UFC Lightweight Title Final Eliminator In Early 2026"​

Max Holloway vs Paddy Pimblett will take place in early 2026 to determine the next challenger to Ilia Topuria and the UFC Lightweight Title.

This comes after strong rumours that Justin Gaethje has been given the Topuria fight next, meaning Holloway vs Pimblett will go down in a final eliminator for the 155-pound belt.

Max Holloway vs Paddy Pimblett Confirmed For UFC Lightweight Title Eliminator​

With Arman Tsarukyan vs Dan Hooker confirmed for UFC Qatar in November, eagled-eyes MMA fans are guessing who will get the next UFC Lightweight Title shot against Ilia Topuria.

It seems that Topuria vs Gaethje is confirmed now for the 155-pound belt, meaning that Max Holloway vs Paddy Pimblett is official for a final eliminator for the lightweight strap.

There were rumours that ‘El Matador’ would defend his title against Pimblett after the Liverpudlian got in the octagon after Topuria’s victory over Charles Oliveira, but it’s Gaethje that has been granted the next shot at the belt instead.

Although unconfirmed by Dana White himself, Holloway vs Pimblett will go down in the early part of 2026. It will feature as a co-main event on a numbered card or perhaps even a main event to strike off the UFC’s new broadcast deal with Paramount+.

With Holloway ranked at #3 at lightweight and Pimblett #7, the fight makes total sense next and will be an official final eliminator for the winner of the Topuria vs Gaethje UFC Lightweight Title contest.

The lightweight division is stacked at the top end right now, with fights finally beginning to happen between the top contenders.

Holloway vs Gaethje is just one of a few mammoth fights at the top end of the 155-pound division in the next six months.

Max Holloway vs Paddy Pimblett set for Lightweight Title eliminator

Max Holloway vs Paddy Pimblett has been all but confirmed for early next year as the next UFC Lightweight Title final eliminator.

www.sportscasting.com

 

[svmr_db]

"CONFIRMED" !!!!

But it's not confirmed lol.

 

[Jose Beehive]

"CONFIRMED" !!!!

But it's not confirmed lol.

2 wack sources innit, I've prefixed with Rumoured.

 

[Kung Fu Kowboy]

No doubt this will be a BMF Fight to headline a UFC event...

 

[ArtardFiesta]

so arman needs a couple of wins for a title shot? is this because ilia plans on vacating and fighting islam if he wins?

 

[Gabe]

This is their plan. Winner of this fights winner of Ilia/Justin at the White House.

 

[Jose Beehive]

so arman needs a couple of wins for a title shot? is this because ilia plans on vacating and fighting islam if he wins?

He's booked against Hooker, and more legitimately confirmed than this fight.. Has also mentioned himself being available as a backup fighter saying "I need to take chances now" .

 

[Pequeño Corey]

Max about to enter the "fight other aging legends or stepping stone for young up and comer" part of his career. Iiwii.

 

[SamuraiBro]

No doubt this will be a BMF Fight to headline a UFC event...

Ew don’t include the BMF belt. Just make it a title eliminator fight.

 

[USA!USA!]

Man I don't mind Paddy really.. but if he starts talking shit to Holloway I might become a hater real fucking quick lol

 

[TriangleMonkey]

Theres a fight I wasn’t planning in happening

Max is dangerous as hell and doesn’t get wrestle fucked

 

[Jose Beehive]

Theres a fight I wasn’t planning in happening

Max is dangerous as hell and doesn’t get wrestle fucked

He doesn't, but when's the last time he was tested ? One would think that would be Paddy's route to victory no.

 

[TriangleMonkey]

He doesn't, but when's the last time he was tested ? One would think that would be Paddy's route to victory no.

Well, he better hope that he can pull it off

The difference in boxing/striking will be yuge

 

[Jose Beehive]

Well, he better hope that he can pull it off

The difference in boxing/striking will be yuge

Paddy not gone 5 rounds since his Cage Warrior days.. If it goes ahead it'll be very fascinating.

 

[philcrow]

So what was the point of bringing Paddy to the ring to face off with Top? Or was that Rogan going off script and trying to play matchmaker?

 

[Unheralded Truth]

Lmao, the striking discrepancy would be hilarious. That's why I can't believe this.

Would they want to do that to Paddy?

 

[Jose Beehive]

Lmao, the striking discrepancy would be hilarious. That's why I can't believe this.

Would they want to do that to Paddy?

Who would you book him against? You've got ahead of him

6. Dan Hooker(Booked with Arman)
5. Gaethje(seemingly only will fight for the belt)
4. Charles Oliveria (Booked against Gamrot)
3.Max
2.Arman (booked against Hooker)
1. Islam(moving up against JDD)
C. Ilia(Probably Gaethje right?)

 

[Only Here for Attachments]

Max turning Paddy into a bobblehead would be excellent

 

[Caio]

Cool fight. Paddy shouldn't fight for the title so soon.

 

[JBJ was here]

Who would you book him against? You've got ahead of him

6. Dan Hooker(Booked with Arman)
5. Gaethje(seemingly only will fight for the belt)
4. Charles Oliveria (Booked against Gamrot)
3.Max
2.Arman (booked against Hooker)
1. Islam(moving up against JDD)
C. Ilia(Probably Gaethje right?)

Considering that Paddy struggled mightily the two times he fought against non-jobber non-corpses in the UFC, I'd book him against a borderline top-20 talent, or an 11-15 talent if I really wanted to push him harder than he's earned.