Ilia Topuria stated that he was confident Paddy Pimblett would win at UFC 324 and began preparing for a potential fight against him in advance. The post reflects Topuria's anticipation of facing the British lightweight. Fans are debating whether they would prefer to see Topuria fight Pimblett or Justin Gaethje. The post provides limited details beyond Topuria's statement of confidence in Pimblett's victory and his subsequent preparation.
Ilia Topuria has revealed that he was so certain Paddy Pimblett would win at UFC 324 that he began preparing for a potential matchup against the Liverpool fighter before the bout even concluded.
Topuria, ranked second in the lightweight division and the current pound-for-pound number one fighter in the sport, carries a 17-1 record and has been a force since moving up from featherweight. The 29-year-old Spaniard, who trains out of Climent Club, lands 4.81 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy and also threatens consistently on the ground, averaging nearly two takedowns and over one submission attempt per 15 minutes.
Pimblett, ranked sixth at lightweight, improved to 23-4 with his UFC 324 performance. The 31-year-old Englishman is a high-output striker, landing 5.49 significant strikes per minute at 52 percent accuracy, and also carries a submission threat with 1.2 attempts per 15 minutes. He trains out of Next Generation MMA Liverpool and has built a sizeable following on both sides of the Atlantic.
The callout has sparked debate among fans, who are split on whether a Topuria-Pimblett matchup is the more appealing option or whether Topuria should instead face lightweight champion Justin Gaethje. "The Highlight" holds a 28-5 record and is the most prolific striker of the three, landing 6.48 significant strikes per minute at an impressive 58 percent accuracy. The 37-year-old American out of Genesis Training Center has not registered a submission attempt in his statistical profile, making him a pure stand-and-bang option.
Why it matters
- Topuria at number two in the division is one step from a lightweight title shot
- A win over sixth-ranked Pimblett would strengthen his case for a Gaethje title fight
- The stylistic contrast between Topuria's well-rounded game and Pimblett's aggressive striking sets up an intriguing clash
- Fan interest in both potential matchups keeps Topuria's name at the center of the lightweight division conversation
