Pimblett, who is coming off third-round TKO win over Michael Chandler in April, is ranked No. 10 in the official UFC lightweight rankings after Topuria's entrance following UFC 317. Gaethje, who is 2-2 in his past four fights, is No. 4.

Newly-crowned UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria says he will be ready to return to the Octagon and take on Paddy Pimblett in a mouth-watering title clash at the end of the year. Topuria etched his name into the history books on Saturday night by defeating Charles Oliveira to win the lightweight title and become the first undefeated two-weight champion in UFC history.

If Ilia Topuria and Paddy Pimblett both get their wishes, they could be up next after the new champ's stellar lightweight title win at UFC 317.