Ilia Topuria has revealed that he was confident in Paddy Pimblett's victory at UFC 324 and had already begun preparing for a potential fight against him. Topuria's statement suggests he anticipated Pimblett's success and started his training camp accordingly. The post indicates there is fan interest in seeing this matchup, though some prefer a bout with Gaethje instead. This suggests Topuria is actively positioning himself for high-profile lightweight matchups following Pimblett's recent win.
Ilia Topuria has revealed that he was already preparing for a potential fight with Paddy Pimblett ahead of UFC 324, stating he had full confidence the Liverpool fighter would get the win.
Topuria, ranked second in the lightweight division and currently sitting atop the pound-for-pound rankings, enters this conversation on the heels of a distinguished career run. The 29-year-old Spaniard, who trains out of Climent Club, carries a 17-1-0 professional record and brings a well-rounded offensive game to the table. He lands 4.81 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy and adds consistent wrestling pressure, averaging nearly two takedowns per 15 minutes alongside 1.1 submission attempts in the same span.
Pimblett, meanwhile, gave Topuria reason to take notice with his performance at UFC 324. "The Baddy" is ranked sixth at lightweight and holds a 23-4-0 record. The 31-year-old Englishman out of Next Generation MMA Liverpool is a high-output striker, landing 5.49 significant strikes per minute at 52 percent accuracy, and complements his stand-up with 1.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes. Standing five-foot-ten with a 73-inch reach, he holds physical advantages over Topuria, who stands five-foot-seven with a 69-inch reach.
Why it matters
- Topuria at number two in the lightweight rankings targeting the sixth-ranked Pimblett would represent a significant step toward a title shot or championship contention at 155 pounds.
- Both fighters are among the division's most active strikers, setting up a potentially high-paced stand-up contest.
- Fan interest is divided, with some preferring a Topuria matchup with Justin Gaethje instead, meaning Topuria's choice of target could shape the lightweight division's near-term landscape.
- Topuria's willingness to call out Pimblett before UFC 324 concluded signals calculated positioning in a crowded and competitive lightweight picture.
