{"id":928169,"date":"2026-10-14T19:14:14","date_gmt":"2026-10-14T19:14:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/928169\/"},"modified":"2026-10-14T19:14:14","modified_gmt":"2026-10-14T19:14:14","slug":"paddy-pimblett-offers-bold-claim-about-ufc-future-for-ilia-topuria","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/928169\/","title":{"rendered":"Paddy Pimblett Offers Bold Claim About UFC Future for Ilia Topuria"},"content":{"rendered":"

Paddy Pimblett doesn\u2019t expect that Ilia Topuria will be the same fighter whenever he does finally return to the UFC. <\/p>\n

Boasting a perfect 17-0 record coming into the year, Topuria suffered a massive upset at the hands of Justin Gaethje<\/a> when the two men headlined UFC Freedom 250 at The White House<\/a> in June. <\/p>\n

Along with losing his unbeaten record, \u201cEl Matador\u201d also relinquished the UFC lightweight belt that he claimed last year following a successful reign as the promotion\u2019s featherweight champion. <\/p>\n

When Will Ilia Topuria Make His Return to the UFC?<\/p>\n

The damage Gaethje caused at The White House encouraged Ilia\u2019s brother Aleksandre to call the fight off in between rounds four and five, and Topuria largely disappeared from the public eye for an extended period following his first loss. <\/p>\n

\"Ilia<\/p>\n

Ilia Topuria (red gloves) fights Justin Gaethje (not pictured) during UFC Freedom 250 at White House South Lawn. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

The 29-year-old recently returned to training and appears to be gearing up for a return sometime in early 2027<\/a>, and this week top lightweight contender Paddy Pimblett reiterated his desire to welcome Topuria back to the Octagon.<\/p>\n

\"Paddy<\/p>\n

Paddy Pimblett during UFC 329 at T-Mobile Arena. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

\u201cI respect him, he\u2019s a very good fighter,\u201d Pimblett told Fighters Only<\/a>. \u201cBut, he\u2019s never fought anyone like me, know what I mean? I\u2019m too big and too long for him. And I\u2019ll show him that when I fight him, when I beat him up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Paddy Pimblett Questions How Ilia Topuria Will Handle First Career Loss<\/p>\n

The two UFC stars had a viral in-cage face off at UFC 317 after Topuria knocked out Charles Oliveira <\/a>to win the lightweight belt, and Pimblett went on to speculate that \u201cEl Matador\u201d may not be the same fighter following his loss to Gaethje. <\/p>\n

\"Ilia<\/p>\n

Ilia Topuria and Paddy Pimblett at UFC 317. | Jeff Bottari-Zuffa LLC<\/p>\n

\u201c[He\u2019s] a little bit damaged goods. He\u2019s never lost before, so I don\u2019t think Ilia will ever be the same when he comes back. I lost my first fight when I was 18, and I had to build myself back up. And then I had to do it again when I was 22, 23. He\u2019s never lost before\u2026So his whole aura was unbeatable, \u2018I\u2019m this, I\u2019m that.\u2019 Now he\u2019s been beat, that\u2019s in his head. And I\u2019ll prove that if I end up fighting him next.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Justin<\/p>\n

Justin Gaethje (blue gloves) fights Ilia Topuria (red gloves) during the UFC Freedom 250 at the White House South Lawn. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

Following an 8-0 start to his professional MMA career that saw him finish ever opponent he faced, Topuria joined the UFC in 2020 and went 9-0 (with six wins via stoppage) before running into Gaethje in June. <\/p>\n

Should the UFC Book Ilia Topuria vs. Paddy Pimblett?<\/p>\n

The bad blood between Topuria and Pimblett makes a potential fight between the two men one of the more intriguing options for the UFC heading into 2027, especially given how \u201cThe Baddy\u201d rebounded from his own loss to Gaethje his last time out. <\/p>\n

\"Justin<\/p>\n

Justin Gaethje (red gloves) fights Paddy Pimblett (blue gloves) during UFC 324 at T-Mobile Arena. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

A former Cage Warriors titleholder, Pimblett made a long-awaited move to the UFC in 2021 and stopped his first three opponents to win three-straight \u201cPerformance of the Night\u201d bonuses.<\/p>\n

\"Paddy<\/p>\n

Paddy Pimblett (blue gloves) celebrates after defeating Benoit Saint Denis (red gloves) in a lightweight bout during UFC 329 at T-Mobile Arena. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

The 31-year-old ended up going 7-0 to start his UFC career before he lost to Gaethje in an interim lightweight title bout at UFC 324<\/a>, but \u201cThe Baddy\u201d returned to the win column in July at UFC 329 when he submitted top lightweight contender Benoit Saint-Denis in just 52 seconds. \u00a0<\/p>\n

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