Paddy Pimblett Rises to No.7 UFC Lightweight Rankings Without Fight

Undefeated UK featherweight prospect Luke Riley has officially signed with the UFC, bringing his knockout power and unbeaten record to the promotion's talent-rich division, though his debut date remains unannounced. Meanwhile, Liverpool's Paddy Pimblett has jumped two spots to No. 7 in the UFC lightweight rankings despite not fighting since April, a move that has sparked fan debate and speculation about a potential title fight against reigning champion Ilia Topuria. Pimblett has been vocal about wanting the matchup with Topuria, citing ongoing fan interest and a personal rivalry, though other contenders like Arman Tsarukyan remain in line for a title shot. At UFC 319, Khamzat Chimaev became the new middleweight champion with a dominant victory, earning a significant leap in pound-for-pound rankings, while former champion Dricus du Plessis dropped sharply. The latest UFC rankings continue to generate discussion due to unexpected changes and the opaque nature of the voting panel, which sometimes produces puzzling shifts in fighter standings.