Ilia Topuria stated that he was confident Paddy Pimblett would win at UFC 324 and began preparing for a potential bout with him in advance. Topuria's comments suggest he anticipated Pimblett's victory and viewed him as a likely future opponent. The featherweight champion's statement indicates strategic planning based on expected outcomes in his division. The post does not provide details on whether Topuria has officially been matched with Pimblett or if this remains speculative. Topuria's preparation demonstrates his proactive approach to future matchups.
Ilia Topuria has revealed that he was so certain Paddy Pimblett would win at UFC 324 that he began preparing for a potential matchup with the Liverpool fighter before the event even took place.
Topuria, who holds a 17-1-0 record and currently sits at number two in the lightweight division, is also ranked as the pound-for-pound number one fighter in the world. The 29-year-old Spanish fighter, training out of Climent Club, carries serious finishing threat across multiple disciplines, averaging 4.81 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy while also averaging 1.96 takedowns and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes.
Pimblett, 31, enters the picture with a 23-4-0 record and holds the sixth-ranked spot in the lightweight division. Fighting out of Next Generation MMA Liverpool, "The Baddy" brings high-volume striking to the cage, landing 5.49 significant strikes per minute at 52 percent accuracy, and has shown a willingness to engage on the ground with 1.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes over his career.
Topuria's comments stop short of confirming any officially scheduled fight, and it remains unclear whether a matchup with Pimblett has been formally agreed upon by the UFC.
Why it matters
- Topuria's pre-emptive preparation signals that he views Pimblett as a credible next opponent in the lightweight division.
- A potential matchup would carry significant divisional weight, pitting the pound-for-pound number one against the sixth-ranked lightweight.
- Both fighters are orthodox strikers who also possess submission tools, setting up an intriguing stylistic clash if the bout is formalized.
- The rankings gap between Topuria at number two and Pimblett at six means the fight would function as a high-stakes contender bout rather than an immediate title eliminator.
