Ilia Topuria revealed he was confident in Paddy Pimblett's victory at UFC 324 and started preparing for a potential fight against him before the event concluded. Topuria's statement suggests he anticipated Pimblett's win and viewed him as a likely future opponent. The post also mentions Justin Gaethje as an alternative opponent some fans would prefer to see. Topuria's comments indicate his proactive approach to matchmaking and preparation. The featherweight champion appears eager to secure his next high-profile bout.
Ilia Topuria revealed that he began preparing for a potential fight against Paddy Pimblett before UFC 324 had even finished, saying he was confident the Liverpool fighter would come away with the win.
Topuria, ranked number one in the pound-for-pound standings and second in the lightweight division, carries a 17-1 record and is 29 years old. The Spain-based Georgian fights out of Climent Club and has built a reputation as a high-volume, well-rounded finisher, landing 4.81 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy while also averaging nearly two takedowns per 15 minutes. His comments suggest he has already identified Pimblett as the most compelling path forward in the 155-pound division.
Pimblett, ranked sixth at lightweight, improved his record to 23-4 with his performance at UFC 324. The 31-year-old Englishman fights out of Next Generation MMA Liverpool and is an active, aggressive competitor who lands 5.49 significant strikes per minute at 52 percent accuracy, with a submission threat averaging 1.2 attempts per 15 minutes. A fight of this profile would represent the biggest test of his career to date.
The picture is complicated by the presence of Justin Gaethje, who holds the lightweight championship with a record of 28-5. The 37-year-old from the United States is one of the division's most feared strikers, landing 6.48 significant strikes per minute at a remarkable 58 percent accuracy. Some fans have called for Topuria to face Gaethje instead, and Topuria acknowledged that matchup as an alternative under consideration.
Why it matters
- Topuria is the top-ranked pound-for-pound fighter and is actively angling for his next lightweight opponent
- A Topuria-Pimblett bout would pit two Orthodox strikers with high output against each other, with Topuria adding a more consistent wrestling dimension
- Gaethje remains the lightweight champion at 28-5, keeping a title unification angle in play as a competing option
