"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'.

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: