Ilia Topuria stated he was confident in Paddy Pimblett's victory at UFC 324 and began preparing for a potential fight against him in advance. Topuria revealed he started his training camp for Pimblett based on his expectation that Pimblett would win his bout. The post suggests Topuria is actively pursuing a matchup with the British fighter. The statement indicates Topuria's strategic approach to matchmaking and his interest in facing Pimblett. However, no official announcement of a bout between the two has been made.
Ilia Topuria has revealed he was so certain Paddy Pimblett would win at UFC 324 that he began preparing for a potential fight against the Liverpool native before the bout even concluded. The pound-for-pound number one contender made the disclosure publicly, underscoring his strategic mindset when it comes to lining up future opponents. No official fight agreement between the two has been announced.
Topuria, known as "El Matador," carries a 17-1 record and is currently ranked second in the lightweight division. The 29-year-old Spanish fighter trains out of Climent Club and brings a well-rounded skill set to the 155-pound class, landing 4.81 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy while also averaging nearly two takedowns per 15 minutes. At five-foot-seven with a 69-inch reach, he is not the prototypical lightweight frame, but his output and efficiency have made him one of the division's most dangerous competitors.
Pimblett, ranked sixth at lightweight, would be a crowd-driven matchup on the other side of this potential pairing. "The Baddy" owns a 23-4 record and at 31 years old remains one of the sport's most recognizable names. The Englishman from Next Generation MMA Liverpool posts 5.49 significant strikes per minute at 52 percent accuracy and averages 1.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes, reflecting his grappling-heavy background. Standing five-foot-ten with a 73-inch reach, he holds physical advantages over Topuria in height and length.
Why it matters
- A Topuria vs. Pimblett fight would carry significant divisional weight at lightweight, with the second-ranked fighter targeting the sixth.
- Topuria's decision to begin a training camp preemptively signals genuine intent rather than casual interest in the matchup.
- The stylistic contrast is notable: Topuria's takedown threat versus Pimblett's submission hunting and higher striking volume.
