Like Bruce Buffer said, the moment you've been waiting for! Dana White is not shutting down the idea of Paddy Pimblett and Ilia Topuria fighting and being coaches on the reality TV show The Ultimate Fighter Topuria and Pimblett have been rivals for years and every single UFC fan walking the plane would be booking the next day off work if this fight happened With Topuria looking to make a comeback and Pimblett coming off an insane win against BSD, is this the perfect time?
UFC president Dana White has reportedly not ruled out a fight between Paddy Pimblett and Ilia Topuria, with the two rivals possibly serving as opposing coaches on The Ultimate Fighter. No bout has been announced, and the idea remains a talking point rather than a done deal.
The two lightweights have been rivals for years, and the possibility of a matchup has drawn heavy interest among fans. The timing adds fuel: Topuria is looking to make a comeback, while Pimblett is coming off a standout win over BSD.
Topuria, 29, is the top-ranked lightweight and holds the number one spot in the pound-for-pound rankings. The Spaniard from Climent Club is 17-1-0 and fights out of an orthodox stance. Standing five-foot-seven with a 69-inch reach, he lands 4.81 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy. He also averages 1.96 takedowns per 15 minutes and 1.1 submission attempts, a well-rounded profile that has made him one of the sport's most feared finishers.
Pimblett, 31, is the number five lightweight and carries a 24-4-0 record. The Englishman trains at Next Generation MMA Liverpool and stands five-foot-ten with a 73-inch reach, a clear size edge over Topuria. He lands 5.48 significant strikes per minute at 52 percent accuracy and averages 1.4 submission attempts per 15 minutes, though his takedown rate is a modest 0.68.
Why it matters
- A Ultimate Fighter coaching stint typically culminates in a fight between the two coaches, which would tie the show's storyline directly to the bout.
- Pimblett's ranking sits well below Topuria's, so the matchup would test whether his recent momentum can close the gap.
- Stylistically, Pimblett's reach and volume would face Topuria's accuracy and balanced offense.
For now, White's openness is the only movement on the idea, and nothing has been scheduled.
