Pimblett wants to make UFC return in July

Paddy Pimblett holds out his arms to the crowd

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Paddy Pimblett sits at number six in the lightweight rankings in the UFC

ByCoral BarryCombat Sports senior journalist

Published37 minutes ago

Paddy Pimblett is targeting a return to fighting in the UFC in July during the MMA promotion's international fight week.

The UFC will hold the yearly event on 11 July at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Pimblett, 31, is still recovering from his defeat by Justin Gaethje in January but was cageside for UFC London on Saturday, where his team-mate Luke Riley was competing.

As Dana White was giving his post-fight news conference, he asked a present Pimblett when he wanted to fight again, to which the Liverpudlian replied: "Hopefully international fight week."

The UFC is yet to announce any fights for the tent-pole summer event, but White replied: "Whenever he wants to fight, we'd love to have him back."

Pimblett missed the opportunity to fight long-time rival Ilia Topuria when he lost to Gaethje in their interim title fight in Vegas.

USA fighter Gaethje is now booked to face the returning champion Topuria at UFC White House on 14 June in Washington.

There are a number of options for Pimblett on his return to action, with Charles Oliveira, Benoit Saint-Denis and Dan Hooker all in the top 10 of the lightweight rankings.

Pimblett's defeat by Gaethje was his first in the UFC and his first loss since 2018.