Paddy Pimblett has discussed his next potential opponent ahead of his return to the octagon this year.
The Liverpudlian is believed to be making his return to the ring in March - hoping to be on the London card - after his quick jump to stardom following his spectacular UFC debut in September with a victory over Luigi Vendramini.
His performance that night put 'Paddy the Baddy' on the map, with his Instagram account blowing up to 860,000 followers - and signing a seven-figure deal with US digital media company Barstool Sports.
His triumph against Vendramini came in impressive fashion, whilst being on the receiving end of some blows - making it an exciting fight for fans to witness.
Now back in training, Pimblett is already looking in good shape after admitting to putting on almost three stone after his win.
Whilst he's looking forward to his next fight in just a few months - likely to be the UFC event in London - he currently has no set opponent.
But that could be about to change with Jared Gordon having called him out - and Pimblett likes the idea of that contest.
“The UFC hasn’t come at me with any opponents," he told Michael Bisping's podcast.
"After he mentioned me, I thought me and Jared Gordon might get matched together. But as I say, I’ve got no idea, we’ll see what happens.
“I haven’t even had potential opponents sent over to me yet. I thought I’d have one by now."
Gordon would be a tough opponent for Pimblett, a fighter who recently came up against current champion Charles Oliveria.
He said: "He mentioned me in his post-fight interview and he beat my former teammate, I would like to fight Jared Gordon.
"He beat [Chris Fishgold] so obviously I would like to beat him and he’s on a three fight win streak. His last loss was to [Charles] Oliveira."
Pimblett has openly spoken of wanting to fight three times in 2022, and believes this will be the year that he makes a real name for himself within the UFC.
He said: “It was always coming. It’s always been my destiny and it’s going to continue."
But one potential fight that we can rule him out for Pimblett is against the legendary Donald Cerrone.
Former UFC star turned promoter Chael Sonnen claimed Cerrone could be Pimblett's next opponent in an interview last month.
However, Pimblett said there's no truth in the rumour, stating: "I think that was just Chael having a little go for some clickbait, Chael done a video [mentioning the fight].
"There’s no truth to it. Do you really think the UFC is going to put me on a card the fifth of March in Vegas when they’re doing London on the 19th? It doesn’t make sense. I would still like to fight in London in front of my home crowd."
