Paddy Pimblett compares himself to Khamzat Chimaev as he reveals training changes to prepare for Ilia Topuria fight

Paddy Pimblett compares his grappling to Khamzat Chimaev

Managing to finish Chandler with a barrage of ground strikes in his high-stakes return, Liverpool star Pimblett has so far racked up an impressive three victories via submission during his five years in the promotion.

However, scoring eye-catching takedowns en route to those wins of note, Pimblett has boldly put his grappling on the same level as unbeaten middleweight berserker Khamzat Chimaev ahead of his return.

“My grappling always feels phenomenal,” Pimblett said on his YouTube channel. “When I get people on the floor, they don’t get up, like Khamzat (Chimaev) against DDP (Dricus du Plessis).”

To boot, with his confidence in his grappling ability, Pimblett claims he’s now polishing up his striking as he hopes to share the Octagon with arch-rival Topuria next.

“I’ve got to get that striking timing better if I’m fighting El Chorizo (Ilia Topuria). That’s a lot of what I’m going to work on,” Pimblett explained.

And now returning to camp, Pimblett has received quite the boost in his bid to share the Octagon with unbeaten knockout star Topuria next.

Arman Tsarukyan targeted for lightweight main event

Also linked with a showdown against unbeaten force Topuria is the current number two ranked Arman Tsarukyan.

However, the Armenian star has missed out on a fight for gold, in his immediate return at least.

Targeted to make his return in November, surging contender Tsarukyan is in line to headline UFC Fight Night Qatar in a clash against perennial lightweight contender Dan Hooker, with a bout in the works.

Of course, Pimblett and Tsarukyan have been on a collision course themselves this year in a bid to determine a number one contender for Topuria, but for the Liverpool grappler, the news of Tsarukyan’s comeback makes for pleasant reading.