What's next for Paddy Pimblett? 5 possible opponents for 'The Baddy' after UFC 304

Following the events of UFC 304, where Paddy Pimblett secured a submission win over 'King' Green in the very first round, 'The Baddy's' next fight has become a topic of interest. With the win, Pimblett extended his win streak to eight in a row.

Now, the Scouser is ranked in the top 15, and will likely face stiffer competition in his rise to the top. But, Pimblett is nothing if not confident. So, who Pimblett faces next will be critical, as it will have to be someone with a mix of ability and experience to see where he truly stands amongst the best in the world at 155 pounds.

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#5. Paddy Pimblett vs. Rafael dos Anjos

Rafael dos Anjos would make for a worthy opponent for Paddy Pimblett. The two men are at vastly different points in their respective careers. 'RDA' has reached the pinnacle of the sport, winning a UFC title when he captured and subsequently defended the lightweight belt back in 2015.

Pimblett, meanwhile, is on the rise and searching for his first taste of UFC gold. Not only is dos Anjos a familiar name that even casual fans will recognize thanks to the Brazilian's old links to Conor McGregor, but he is a former champion whose skill-set and level are still respectable.

While he isn't washed, he is certainly on the decline and nowhere near as good as he once was. Additionally, 'RDA' has actually called Pimblett out in the past, and he ought to be used to elevate the Scouser sooner, rather than later.

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#4. Paddy Pimblett vs. Benoît Saint Denis

A fight between Paddy Pimblett and Benoît Saint Denis would be an action-packed thriller. The Frenchman first drew attention for his five-fight win streak, all of which consisted of bulldozing finishes. While he recently lost to Dustin Poirier via knockout, it wasn't a one-sided bout by any means.

Instead, Saint Denis appeared to have some success against Poirier for much of the fight before fatigue, possibly hastened by a staph infection, set in, and he ended up on the receiving end of a brutal KO. Still, he gave a good account of himself, and did well against an extremely credentialed opponent.

A win over Saint Denis would do wonders for Pimblett, as it would give many confidence in his ability to compete with elite up-and-comers. Additionally, it is a winnable fight due to the Frenchman's recklessness, and an easy sell, least of all due to the England vs. France rivalry in sports.

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#3. Paddy Pimblett vs. Dan Hooker

The truth is that Dan Hooker is a stepping stone for the elites at lightweight. He is a litmus test for those determined to break into the top 10 at this point in his career. Paddy Pimblett is gunning for lightweight gold and few opponents are as safe, reliable, and high profile as 'The Hangman.' Moreover, there's some history.

Hooker isn't particularly dangerous. He isn't powerful, fast or uber-skilled. Instead, he is a good striker with competence in every other facet of MMA, backed up by otherworldly toughness and grit. He has also fought the who's who at lightweight, and in doing so, developed some name value.

He is, in some respects, the Anthony Smith of the 155 pound division. Furthermore, he is a trash-talker who will engage with Pimblett in a war of words to hype up a potential bout. He is also ranked #11 and more beatable than most. Thus, a win over him would help catapult 'The Baddy' into the top 10 in a relatively safe manner.

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#2. Paddy Pimblett vs. Rafael Fiziev

This is arguably one of the more dangerous bouts for Paddy Pimblett. The Scouser is at the bottom of the barrel in the top 15, while Rafael Fiziev is ranked #8 in the division. But if Dustin Poirier can fight Benoît Saint Denis, and Alexandre Pantoja can fight Steve Erceg, anything is possible.

Still, while the promise of beating Fiziev is a ranking inside the top 10, a loss is more likely to be the result of a bout between the two, given the Muay Thai specialist's combination of high-level striking, power, speed and impregnable takedown defense. Pimblett is not a good striker. Instead, he is effective, blessed with power and a fighter's heart.

However, he doesn't move his head off the center-line and keeps his chin high. This is worsened by his belief that he is impossible to knock out. Additionally, his lack of a true takedown threat means he'd likely struggle to ground Fiziev to submit him. So, the bout is extremely risky, but worth the reward.

There's no point in slow-rolling Pimblett's ascension. He's no young prospect who needs to develop and build. He's a 29 year-old former Cage Warriors champion in a division that's unforgiving even to fighters in their mid-thirties. For that reason, the Fiziev fight may prove to be the right move.

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#1. Paddy Pimblett vs. Renato Moicano

Paddy Pimblett and Renato Moicano have jabbed back-and-forth at each other, and facing the Brazilian may be the best option for 'The Baddy.' Moicano is a respectable fighter over whom a win would be valued. Furthermore, he has become something of a star due to his outlandish personality and over-the-top post-fight interviews.

He is also ranked #10, which is an enviable position from Pimblett's perspective. Moicano also doesn't pose a significant threat to the Scouser. He is well-rounded, but very beatable. His striking is serviceable, but the Brazilian lacks power. So, it's unlikely that he threatens Pimblett's iron chin.

On the mat, the contest becomes interesting. Moicano's Brazilian jiu-jitsu game seems to revolve around positional dominance, while Pimblett is a submission specialist and a finisher at heart. Their fight would likely be a fast-paced, scramble-filled affair that will only elevate Pimblett if he wins.