Pimblett, currently ranked No. 10 in the UFC lightweight division, has hinted at a two-step plan for the short-term future: dethrone Topuria, then jump to welterweight—with Jack Della Maddalena as the current champion—to chase a second belt.

Pimblett (23-3 MMA, 7-0 UFC) was in attendance when Topuria (17-0 MMA, 9-0 UFC) knocked out Charles Oliveira to claim the lightweight title in this past Saturday's UFC 317 headliner at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Pimblett faced off with Topuria in the octagon, and the pair have continued to go at each other ever since.

The new UFC Lightweight Champion had a line of contenders waiting for him following his second title win at UFC 317. Paddy Pimblett, Justin Gaethje, and Arman Tsarukyan were all cageside for Topuria’s blistering knockout of former champion Charles Oliveira at the end of the night.