UFC 296: Paddy Pimblett Already Targeting UFC 300 Fight

UFC 296
Paddy Pimblett

UFC 296 is set for next month with Paddy Pimblett taking on former interim champion Tony Ferguson. But for Pimblett, his focus appears to be on the future and a date on the UFC 300 card in 2024.

Paddy Pimblett is one of the main fights scheduled for UFC 296 next month, as the lightweight contender meet former interim champion Tony Ferguson.

UFC 296 is set for December 16 from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. In the headline bout, Colby Covington challenges Leon Edwards for the welterweight title, while the co-main will see Alexandre Pantoja defend against Brandon Royval.

Outside of those who bouts, the Pimblett-Ferguson contest is one that is sure to be of importance.

Pimblett, a native of Liverpool, is riding a six-fight win streak, with the most recent four fights coming with the UFC. Three of those four have earned him a “Performance of the Night” bonus, as he sits at 20-3 overall.

And while Ferguson is the biggest name to date for the brash fighter, he is already pondering a future fight in 2024 at UFC 300.

“I’ll be honest, I don’t see meself being put in the Top-15 after a win against Tony,” Pimblett said during an interview with Energised Show (thanks to MMA News for the quotes). “Bobby Green didn’t, and Bobby Green fought – beat him before I did. So I can see my fighting someone like that: Bobby Green, Grant Dawson, you know what I mean?

“Someone like that to get in the rankings. That’s what I can see after I beat Tony.”

UFC 300 Could Feature Conor McGregor

Pimblett also realizes that the UFC could position Conor McGregor on that epic and historical card in the summer. UFC 300 is expected to take place around International Fight Week, with the former champion returning to meet Michael Chandler.

“The missus will be due a couple of weeks after that,” Pimblett said. “It’d be nice to get another fight in, get another payday in before the twins are due.”

UFC 296 Set For December

The UFC 296 fight card is shaping up to be a fun one to end the year on. Leon Edwards vs. Colby Covington takes the headline role, and the two are sure to spark fireworks during the build.

Alexandre Pantoja and Brandon Royval is a rematch, as Pantoja claimed the win in 2021 on his way to winning the flyweight title.

As for Paddy Pimblett vs. Tony Ferguson, this is a fight that Ferguson absolutely has to win. He has lost six in a row and has appeared to be far removed from being considered one of the top lightweights in the world.

Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Stephen Thompson and Vicente Luque vs. Ian Machado Garry are also scheduled for the main card.

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