Ali Akbar Rosady
Liverpool’s Paddy Pimblett is currently navigating the immediate challenge of Benoit Saint Denis at UFC 329, yet discussions inevitably turn to a potential future clash with UFC Featherweight Champion Ilia Topuria. However, Pimblett has voiced skepticism regarding the immediacy of such a matchup, citing Topuria’s perceived recovery period from recent competition. Pimblett’s perspective, shared with Spinnin Backfist, suggests Topuria will not be ready to compete before the close of the current year, a timeline that would not align with Pimblett’s own aspirations for another fight in 2024.
"Everyone keeps saying, ‘Fight Ilia next,’" Pimblett stated during his interview. "That man’s face is mashed up. He’s not coming back before the end of the year and I’d like to fight again before the end of the year. So we’re just going to see what happens. As you know, everything unfolds crazy in MMA. You don’t know what’s going to happen next. So let’s just see what happens next."
Pimblett’s comments highlight the fluid and often unpredictable nature of mixed martial arts, where fight bookings are subject to various factors including fighter health, promotional strategy, and the ever-shifting landscape of divisional rankings. His immediate focus remains on Benoit Saint Denis, a formidable opponent scheduled for the co-main event of UFC 329 on July 11. Saint Denis (13-2, 1 NC MMA, 5-2 UFC) enters the contest with a reputation for aggressive striking and relentless grappling, having earned four consecutive finishes before a recent knockout loss to Dustin Poirier at UFC 299 in March 2024. This bout represents a significant test for Pimblett (21-3 MMA, 5-0 UFC), who is currently undefeated in the UFC, with his most recent victory coming via unanimous decision against Tony Ferguson at UFC 296 in December 2023.
The perceived delay in a potential Topuria matchup stems from Pimblett’s assessment of Topuria’s physical state. Ilia Topuria (15-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC), the undefeated reigning UFC Featherweight Champion, last defended his title with a second-round knockout victory over Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 in February 2024. This performance solidified his status as one of the sport’s elite, but also involved significant exchanges that can take a toll on a fighter. While Pimblett’s specific reference to Topuria’s "mashed up face" and a "title fight loss to Justin Gaethje at UFC White House" does not align with official UFC records, which show Topuria defeating Volkanovski and Gaethje recently losing to Max Holloway, it underscores Pimblett’s belief that Topuria requires an extended period for recovery before his next bout. The "UFC White House" event itself appears to be a narrative construct within Pimblett’s explanation, rather than a confirmed UFC fixture.
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Pimblett’s reflections on his path to a potential Topuria fight also included an unusual retrospective on a past encounter that diverges from official UFC records. While official UFC databases do not show a bout between Pimblett and Justin Gaethje, ‘The Baddy’ spoke of a perceived prior defeat that he attributes to a larger destiny.
"I’ve got no animosity towards Justin Gaethje," Pimblett said. "He beat me. Better man won on the night. I think it was fate for him to beat me so he that could beat Ilia on the White House lawn and be the American in the main event who wins the title. I just think it was destiny. That’s why nothing happened over the eye pokes [in our fight]. It was just destiny. He was meant to beat me so he could go and win on the White House lawn."
This narrative, while not reflective of documented fight history, illustrates Pimblett’s philosophical approach to his career trajectory and the outcomes of high-stakes matchups. Justin Gaethje (25-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC), whom Pimblett referenced in his narrative, currently holds the BMF title and recently competed against Max Holloway at UFC 300 in April 2024, suffering a knockout loss. Gaethje’s career has been defined by thrilling, high-damage fights, cementing his reputation as one of the most exciting and resilient competitors in the lightweight division.
The long-standing animosity between Pimblett and Topuria is a well-documented subplot in the UFC. The two fighters have engaged in multiple verbal exchanges and even a physical altercation outside the octagon, fueling fan anticipation for a potential showdown. Pimblett, known for his charismatic persona and vocal criticisms, did not shy away from reiterating his strong opinions on Topuria’s natural weight class.
"I always say it: We have weight classes for a reason," Pimblett asserted. "Ilia Topuria is a fat featherweight. He’s not a lightweight. If I ever fight him, people will realize that. If he fights me, he will move back down to [featherweight]. Because he will realize how small he is for the weight."
Topuria has primarily competed at featherweight throughout his professional career, ascending to the championship in that division. While a move to lightweight (155 pounds) is often contemplated by dominant featherweights seeking new challenges or bigger fights, Pimblett’s assessment suggests that Topuria’s physique and frame are better suited to the 145-pound division. This kind of rhetoric is common in MMA, used to gain a psychological edge and question an opponent’s physical suitability for a weight class. Should a fight materialize between them, Topuria’s ability to perform at lightweight would indeed be a significant storyline, especially considering Pimblett’s own experience competing successfully at 155 pounds.
Beyond Topuria, Pimblett also harbors aspirations for a rematch with Justin Gaethje, despite the absence of a prior official bout. Acknowledging the competitive landscape of the lightweight division, Pimblett understands that such a high-profile rematch would require a sustained run of victories.
"Obviously, I’d love that rematch. I’d love to fight Justin again," Pimblett confirmed. "I know I’ve got to work my way back to that. I can’t just beat ‘BSD’ and be like yeah, I’m next against Gaethje. I know that I’m probably going to have to beat BSD and then beat someone else."
This pragmatic outlook reflects Pimblett’s understanding of the UFC’s meritocracy, particularly in a talent-rich division like lightweight. With Islam Makhachev currently reigning as the undisputed lightweight champion, and a host of elite contenders such as Charles Oliveira, Dustin Poirier, and Arman Tsarukyan vying for position, securing a title shot or a major rematch demands consistent high-level performances. Pimblett’s current UFC record of 5-0, while impressive, has largely featured opponents outside the top-tier rankings. A victory over a highly-regarded contender like Saint Denis at UFC 329 would undoubtedly elevate his standing and potentially pave the way for more significant challenges, aligning him closer to his stated goals of facing Topuria and a hypothetical rematch with Gaethje.
UFC 329, scheduled for July 11, will be a pivotal event for Pimblett. The co-main event slot provides a prominent platform, and a decisive victory over Saint Denis could significantly accelerate his trajectory in the lightweight division. The path to securing fights against figures like Ilia Topuria or Justin Gaethje remains complex, intertwined with their respective divisional commitments, injury timelines, and the unpredictable ebb and flow of professional mixed martial arts. For Pimblett, the immediate future hinges on his performance against Saint Denis, a bout that could either solidify his ascent or necessitate a recalibration of his ambitious career timeline.
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