"I don't think he fights a top 15..." - Michael Chiesa names Paddy Pimblett's next opponent
UFC welterweight Michael Chiesa doesn't have high hopes for the promotion's newest poster boy Paddy Pimblett. In a recent episode of UFC Live on ESPN MMA, Chiesa opined that the Liverpudlian would not get to face a top 15 lightweight in his next fight.
The 35-year-old thinks that Terrance McKinney will be Pimblett's next opponent:
"I don't think Paddy fights a top-15 opponent in his next [fight]. I'm going to put it in the universe right now, Paddy Pimblett's next fight is going to be Terrance McKinney when Terrance McKinney wins in Rio [de Janeiro] so that's going to be his next fight."
Furthermore, the No.13-ranked welterweight boldly claimed that he doesn't see the Englishman ever breaking into the lightweight division's top 15:
"I'll go out and say [that] he might not ever get there [to the top 15]. He is a good fighter [but] it's tough to get there. It's tough to get there and it's tougher to stay there."
Watch Michael Chiesa talk about Paddy Pimblett below:
In his most recent octagon outing, Paddy Pimblett secured a highly controversial unanimous decision win against Jared Gordon at UFC 282. Many in the MMA community felt that Gordon was robbed of a win against 'The Baddy'.
I'm legitimately shocked by this decision. I'm shocked it was unanimous by all three judges. Paddy Pimblett LOST this fight. Jared Gordon got ROBBED by the judges. This is absolutely criminal. There is something extremely wrong with MMA judging. It's the worst it's been. #UFC282
The 27-year-old currently holds a pro-MMA record of 20-3. He is undefeated in the UFC with four wins.
Daniel Cormier says Paddy Pimblett is not yet a top-tier lightweight
Similar to Michael Chiesa, former UFC double champion Daniel Cormier also thinks Paddy Pimblett has miles to go before he can hold a candle to the lightweight elites.
During a recent episode of DC & RC, Cormier claimed that the Liverpool native needs to make certain adjustments to his game if he ever hopes to capture the 155lbs title. The 43-year-old added that the Englishman would have little chance of success against a top-10 opponent right now:
"I believe that right now he needs to do some things a little different[ly] if he is going to truly accomplish the status that he says he will. He says one day he is going to be champion. You can never question this kid's confidence... [but] right now after watching him this weekend [against Jared Gordon] if he is in there with one of the top 10 or 12 guys in the world, it's very difficult to pick Paddy right now."
Watch Daniel Cormier talk about Pimblett below: