Ilia Topuria expressed disappointment in how Paddy Pimblett fought against Justin Gaethje, stating he knew Pimblett was a poor fighter but didn't realize the extent. Topuria also discussed plans regarding potential weight class movement, revealing that if he moves up to welterweight to fight Islam Makhachev, he would not be stripped of his lightweight title because he plans to continue defending the 155-pound belt. Meanwhile, Jiri Prochazka continues dwelling on his recent loss, stating he was at only 40-50% capacity after his injury and was fighting in sparring mode, waiting for the referee to stop the bout.
Ilia Topuria used a recent interview to weigh in on Paddy Pimblett's showing against Justin Gaethje, while also addressing the possibility of a move up to welterweight and laying out how he sees his title situation unfolding.
Topuria, ranked second at lightweight and first in the pound-for-pound rankings, was blunt in his assessment of Pimblett's performance. The 29-year-old Spaniard said he already considered Pimblett a poor fighter but admitted the bout revealed the Liverpudlian to be even less impressive than he had imagined. Topuria carries a 17-1-0 record and lands 4.81 significant strikes per minute, and has established himself as one of the sport's most dangerous finishers since arriving at the top of the 155-pound division.
On the subject of a potential jump to welterweight, Topuria addressed concerns about his lightweight title directly. He made clear that moving up to challenge Islam Makhachev would not cost him the 155-pound belt, as he intends to keep defending it. Makhachev, now competing at welterweight, holds the championship there and sits atop the pound-for-pound rankings at number one. The Russian carries a 28-1-0 record and is a suffocating grappler, averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and posting a 58 percent striking accuracy.
Separately, former light heavyweight champion Jiri Prochazka continued to reflect on his most recent loss. The Czech fighter, ranked second in the light heavyweight division at 33 years old, said he was operating at only 40 to 50 percent capacity due to injury and described his mindset during the fight as being in sparring mode, waiting for the referee to intervene. Prochazka holds a 32-6-1 record and is one of the division's most aggressive strikers, averaging 5.69 significant strikes per minute with an 80-inch reach.
Why it matters
- Topuria's comments suggest a welterweight super-fight with Makhachev is a genuine consideration, with major title implications at two divisions
- His insistence on retaining the lightweight belt would make any move up a rare simultaneous two-division campaign
- Prochazka's injury admission raises questions about where the Czech contender stands heading into his next campaign at light heavyweight
