Ilia Topuria says he began preparing for Paddy Pimblett after UFC 324

Ilia Topuria has revealed that he began preparing for a potential fight with Paddy Pimblett following UFC 324, stating he was confident the Liverpool fighter would emerge victorious and wanted to be ready ahead of time.

Topuria, who holds a 17-1-0 record and sits at number two in the lightweight division, currently ranks first in the pound-for-pound standings. The 29-year-old Spanish fighter, who trains out of Climent Club, brings a well-rounded game to the octagon, landing 4.81 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy while also averaging 1.96 takedowns per 15 minutes. At five-foot-seven with a 69-inch reach, "El Matador" has shown the tactical intelligence to plan ahead, and his comments suggest he sees Pimblett as a natural next step.

Paddy Pimblett enters the picture ranked sixth at lightweight with a 23-4-0 record. The 31-year-old Englishman known as "The Baddy" trains with Next Generation MMA Liverpool and stands five-foot-ten with a 73-inch reach. Pimblett is an aggressive finisher who lands 5.49 significant strikes per minute at 52 percent accuracy and averages 1.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes, making him a legitimate threat in multiple areas.

Why it matters

• A Topuria vs. Pimblett matchup would pit the division's pound-for-pound number one against a rising contender ranked sixth at lightweight
• The three-inch reach and three-inch height advantage for Pimblett creates an interesting physical contrast
• Both fighters are submission-minded, with comparable attempts per 15 minutes, pointing to a potentially dynamic grappling dimension
• Topuria's willingness to call out Pimblett by name signals he views the Englishman as a credible and marketable opponent at lightweight