Paddy Pimblett has gained significant popularity and respect for his impressive climb towards a UFC title shot, but not all of his fellow top-ranked fighters share the same confidence in his abilities.
For a long time, the fighter from Liverpool was often dismissed as merely a novelty in the lightweight category. Many experts believed he would struggle as he progressed, but his decisive wins against King Green and Michael Chandler have silenced these doubts.
Given their intense, long-standing rivalry, it appears Pimblett might be on track for a championship bout against the recently crowned titleholder, Ilia Topuria. However, fellow contender Beneil Dariush is skeptical of Pimblett`s chances at that elite level.
Beneil Dariush Skeptical of Paddy Pimblett`s Prospects Against Ilia Topuria
Despite a significant period of inactivity, Paddy Pimblett has recently ascended in the UFC lightweight rankings. Ranked seventh, he is just ahead of ninth-placed Beneil Dariush, who had sought a fight with Pimblett at UFC 322, though it never materialized.
Dariush conveyed his belief that Pimblett would have limited success against Topuria. When questioned by Submission Radio about whether Pimblett posed a threat, Dariush responded: “No, not really. I genuinely don’t see where he could pose a threat.”
“In terms of striking, I believe he’d be in considerable peril. In grappling, if he manages a takedown, he’s an excellent grappler. However, I’m unsure if he can secure a takedown against Ilia, as everything I’ve observed and heard suggests Ilia possesses fantastic wrestling and world-class takedown defense.”
Beneil Dariush Alleges UFC `Protected` Paddy Pimblett from UFC 322 Bout
Given their similar rankings, Dariush expressed a desire to fight Pimblett, viewing UFC 322 at Madison Square Garden as an ideal venue. The promotion, however, rejected the proposal, stating Pimblett was `busy`.
Instead, Dariush is slated to fight Benoit Saint-Denis. He claims the UFC tends to shield certain fighters, especially those without massive public profiles, from opponents who might defeat them. He elaborated, “In some instances, they protect their own.”
“They don’t want me to ruin the trajectory of some of these athletes, so I believe, to an extent, they avoid pairing me with a top-ranked opponent unless absolutely necessary.”