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‘There is no way’… Fans believe Paddy Pimblett’s next fight is set after shock ranking update sees him overtake rivals

Originally posted on Bloody Elbow | By Kyle Dimond | Last updated Aug 19, 2025 3:37 PM ET

Following UFC 319, several divisions have received notable ranking updates.

Khamzat Chimaev’s dominant win over Dricus du Plessis has seen him skyrocket up the pound-for-pound ladder, now claiming the #4 spot.

Another weight class that was expected to undergo a big change was the featherweight division, with the newly ranked #4 contender Lerone Murphy being set up to challenge Alexander Volkanovski next time out.

Surprisingly, there were also some changes made to the current landscape at 155-pounds despite the fact that there weren’t any highly significant lightweight bouts on the card this past weekend.

Fans shared their reactions after Paddy Pimblett received a notable boost seemingly out of nowhere.

Fans react to Paddy Pimblett overtaking Mateusz Gamrot and Beneil Dariush in lightweight rankings

Having only fought once in 2024, Paddy Pimblett hasn’t stepped back inside the Octagon this year since his win over Michael Chandler in April.

The latest update from ‘The Baddy’ saw him suggest that he’s still optimistic about receiving the first shot at Ilia Topuria’s lightweight title despite there being several other deserving contenders in the mix.

For some time, Pimblett has occupied the #9 spot in the lightweight rankings but this has been changed in the latest update.

The Brit has moved up two spots to #5, meaning that he has jumped ahead of both Beneil Dariush and Mateusz Gamrot.

While their wins may not have been more significant than Pimblett’s, both Dariush and Gamrot have earned victories more recently than the 30-year-old star.

UFC lightweight rankings	UFC lightweight
Champion	Ilia Topuria
#1	Islam Makhachev
#2	Arman Tsarukyan
#3	Max Holloway
#4	Charles Oliveira
#5	Justin Gaethje
#6	Dan Hooker
#7	Paddy Pimblett
#8	Mateusz Gamrot
#9	Beneil Dariush
#10	Rafael Fiziev
#11	Renato Moicano
#12	Michael Chandler
#13	Benoit Saint Denis
#14	Grant Dawson
#15	Mauricio Ruffy

Fans gave their thoughts on the latest update, with some questioning whether this means that a fight with Topuria is looking more likely.

‘They are giving the title shot to Paddy.’

‘So he’s getting a title shot off beating Chandler… lol.’

‘Paddy going up two spots just to justify an undeserved #1 contender fight no doubt.’

‘There is no way Paddy beats Gamrot, so it’s a bs biased ranking.’

‘Paddy is such a fraud.’

‘How is it possible to move up without a fight.’

‘Rankings voters doing their work to further justify the Paddy Pimblett title shot?? Haha.’

Some shifts in the lightweight rankings following #UFC319, as @PaddyTheBaddy Pimblett moves up two spots to No. 7, sliding past Mateusz Gamrot and Beneil Dariush.

Additionally, Joel Alvarez slides off the list and is replaced by Mauricio @Ruffymma at No. 15. pic.twitter.com/tJkywh3mcd
— John Morgan (@JohnMorgan_MMA) August 19, 2025

Full UFC rankings updates following a big night in Chicago for UFC 319

Featherweight, lightweight and middleweight weren’t the only divisions that have had some numbers shuffled around following the Octagon’s return to Chicago on Saturday night.

See the full rankings updates regarding fighters that were in action at UFC 319 listed below:

This article first appeared on Bloody Elbow and was syndicated with permission.

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