UFC: Buddy Pimblett wants to return in July

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 its annual event on July 11 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Pimblett, 31, is still recovering from his defeat to Justin Gaethje in January, but was in the cage at UFC London on Saturday, where teammate Luke Riley was competing.

While Dana White was giving his post-fight press conference, Pimblett asked the attendee when he wanted to fight again, to which the Liverpool player replied: “Hopefully International Fight Week.”

The UFC has yet to announce any fights for the summer event, but White responded: “Whenever he wants to fight, we would love to have him back.”

Pimblett missed out on the opportunity to fight longtime rival Elijah Topuria when he lost to Gaethje in their interim title fight in Vegas.

American fighter Gaethje has now been booked to face returning champion Topuria at the UFC’s White House on June 14 in Washington.

There are a number of options for Pimblett when he returns to action, with Charles Oliveira, Benoit Saint-Denis and Dan Hooker all in the top ten of the lightweight rankings.

Pimblett’s defeat to Gaethje was his first in the UFC and his first loss since 2018.