{"id":916609,"date":"2026-10-05T05:01:06","date_gmt":"2026-10-05T05:01:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/916609\/"},"modified":"2026-10-05T05:01:06","modified_gmt":"2026-10-05T05:01:06","slug":"dana-white-teases-the-ultimate-fighter-revival-featuring-huge-ilia-topuria-fight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/916609\/","title":{"rendered":"Dana White Teases ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ Revival Featuring Huge Ilia Topuria Fight"},"content":{"rendered":"

UFC CEO Dana White was more than in a good mood following an historic UFC 332 event from Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. Outside of Natalia Silva winning the vacant UFC flyweight title <\/a>over Wang Cong, amongst other holistic event records being met, White was asked about other nuggets outside of Saturday’s event.<\/p>\n

One of those was regarding the future of ‘The Ultimate Fighter,<\/a>‘ the annual reality TV series that awards fighters UFC deals after going through a tournament style format during a 12-episode season.<\/p>\n

The show began in Jan. 2005, Zuffa’s last-ditch effort to save the UFC from near-bankruptcy after the parent company decided to pay for it rather than what was then Spike TV. It quickly became one of MMA’s greatest success stories, ushering in a new era of stars while also establishing reality TV as a hot commodity.<\/p>\n

Today, all the show’s seasons can be seen on Paramount+ on replay, with weekly releases while the show is in season.<\/p>\n

Could Topuria-Pimblett Happen?\"Ilia<\/p>\n

Jun 14, 2026; Washington, D.C., USA; Ilia Topuria (red gloves) looks on prior to his fight against Justin Gaethje (not pictured) during the UFC Freedom 250 at the White House South Lawn. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

In recent years, the UFC has moved away from having the respective team coaches fight one another. Recently, Ilia Topuria had expressed interest in fighting Paddy Pimblett in a lightweight title eliminator while teasing plans of an Octagon return.<\/a><\/p>\n

While the fight makes sense from a divisional rankings standpoint, White appeared non-committal when asked about whether he’d consider making Topuria vs. Pimblett the coaches of Season 35.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udea8 Dana White on booking Ilia Topuria vs Paddy Pimblett for the next season of The Ultimate Fighter<\/p>\n

“I love the idea of that, but a lot of things determine how things play out. Not just for The Ultimate Fighter, but certain fights and title fights. We’ll see how the timing plays\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/ztgY9HqpuC<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) October 4, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

“I love the idea of that, but a lot of things determine how things play out,” White said. “Not just for ‘The Ultimate Fighter,’ but [for] certain fights and title fights. We’ll see how the timing plays out.” <\/p>\n

Timing is certainly a critical element. It appears both men want to fight again sooner rather than later. But with UFC 335 already locked in<\/a>, it seems next year would be much more suitable. The question of timing, however, is massive.<\/p>\n

UFC Has Huge Topuria-Pimblett Decision To Make\"Dana<\/p>\n

Jul 11, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; UFC president Dana White in attendance during UFC 329 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

If the UFC keeps its TUF release schedule as is, a potential Topuria-Pimblett fight could take place in the fall or winter. The fight’s possibility also hinges on Justin Gaethje’s future fighting decision,<\/a> which is one he hasn’t made yet.<\/p>\n

If the UFC is willing to wait that long, that means months of content, promotional material, and prefight buildup not normally seen during the UFC\/Paramount era thus far.<\/p>\n

Title fight or not (likely not, should Gaethje remain active), it’s still a big fight. Both men have a backstory with each other, plus a faceoff.<\/p>\n

We’ll see how it transpires.<\/p>\n

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