In the world of mixed martial arts, a bold prediction is making waves: Paddy Pimblett believes that Ilia Topuria could potentially lose his lightweight championship if he remains inactive until summer. Earlier this year, Topuria claimed the lightweight title in a stunning victory over Charles Oliveira at UFC 317. Fans were anticipating an early 2026 title defense from Topuria, but he recently announced a personal hiatus, leaving many to speculate about his future in the octagon.
As a result of Topuria's decision to step back, Pimblett is set to face off against Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight title next month at UFC 324. In a candid conversation with reporter Carlos Legaspi, Pimblett expressed his thoughts on Topuria's situation, wishing him well personally while making it clear that he is focused solely on their potential matchup. "I genuinely wish him the best with everything he’s dealing with. That’s his personal life, and I hope things turn out perfectly for him," Pimblett stated. However, he also noted, "If he’s not back by June or July, he might have to give up his belt, and I could become the undisputed champion without even stepping into the ring with him."
The rivalry between Pimblett and Topuria has deep roots, tracing back to an incident during UFC London Fight Week in 2022, when Topuria confronted Pimblett at a hotel, leading to a heated exchange. Since that moment, the two fighters have engaged in a war of words, continuing to trade barbs even after Topuria's championship win. Despite the tension, Pimblett recognizes Topuria's skills as a fighter. He admitted, "I respect him more now. When he first confronted me, I had no idea who he was. I thought he was just trying to make a name for himself by picking a fight with me. But I can’t deny he’s a very talented fighter. I may not like him, but I respect his abilities in the cage."
Should the scenario unfold as Pimblett envisions—with him capturing the title while Topuria navigates his personal challenges—he already has specific opponents in mind for his first title defense. Interestingly, he’s not keen on facing No. 1 contender Arman Tsarukyan. Instead, Pimblett expressed a desire to fight either Charles Oliveira or Max Holloway, emphasizing their significance to his legacy. "I believe fighting Charles or Max would be a greater boost to my legacy than facing Arman," he said. "I've been saying for a long time that a match against Charles Oliveira would be incredible, and I’d absolutely love that fight. But that’s only if he can get past Max Holloway."
Pimblett did not hold back when discussing Tsarukyan, remarking, "He needs to wait his turn and listen. He seems to think that his wealth can buy him opportunities, but I’m just tired of hearing about him. He’s nothing special in my eyes." As the excitement builds, fans can look forward to Holloway and Oliveira rematching for the 'BMF' title in the main event of UFC 326 on March 7 in Las Vegas, while Pimblett prepares to take on Gaethje at UFC 324 on January 24, also in Las Vegas.
What do you think about the possibility of Topuria vacating his title? Do you agree with Pimblett's views on his potential opponents? Let's hear your thoughts in the comments!
