Paddy Pimblett Quietly Building the Weapons to Dethrone Ilia Topuria
The UFC lightweight division is once again buzzing with speculation and excitement, this time centered around Paddy Pimblett and Ilia Topuria. While official matchmakers have remained quiet about the next lightweight title fight, behind-the-scenes drama, fighter preferences, and public callouts are shaping what could be one of the most high-profile fights in the promotion’s near future.
For Pimblett, nicknamed “The Baddy,” the opportunity to face Topuria — the reigning featherweight champion who has made it clear he’s not interested in certain matchups — would mark the biggest moment of his career. And for fans, it would represent a clash of styles, personalities, and storylines tailor-made for the spotlight.
Topuria’s Refusal to Face Tsarukyan Opens the Door
According to recent reports, Ilia Topuria has shown no interest in a potential matchup with Arman Tsarukyan, despite Tsarukyan’s surging popularity and strong performances. The featherweight champ, who has openly said he would rather vacate his belt than face Tsarukyan, has created an unusual opening at the top of the division.
This refusal has added fuel to speculation that the UFC may explore alternative opponents, and with Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett both mentioned in conversations, the door to a blockbuster fight is swinging wide open.
Topuria’s rising star power, combined with Pimblett’s already massive fan base, offers something the UFC often seeks: a fight that sells itself. Personality clashes, a history of verbal sparring, and even a brief physical confrontation in the past make this a rivalry with unfinished business.
Paddy Pimblett’s Rise and the UFC’s Love of Surprises
From the very beginning of his UFC career, Paddy Pimblett has had a knack for grabbing attention both inside and outside the Octagon. His charisma, unapologetic confidence, and relentless forward pressure in fights have made him a fan favorite.
Statistically speaking, Pimblett may need another one or two fights before a title opportunity could be justified based on rankings alone. But the UFC has a long track record of prioritizing marketability and timing. When a fight has momentum, fan demand, and a compelling storyline, the company often acts quickly — sometimes bypassing traditional merit-based routes.
In Pimblett’s case, the timing feels almost too perfect. A matchup with Topuria not only taps into pre-existing tension but also represents a fight with global appeal — a European star versus a fiery challenger, both with reputations for bringing action.
Sharpening the Arsenal: Pimblett’s Preparation
As far as preparation is concerned, Pimblett is already looking ahead. The Liverpool native has openly admitted that to compete with someone of Topuria’s caliber, he needs to level up in certain areas — particularly striking.
In a recent YouTube video, Pimblett shed some light on his game plan, saying, “I’ve got to get that striking timing better if I’m fighting El Chorizo. That’s a lot of what I’m going to work on. But my grappling always feels phenomenal. When I get people on the floor, they don’t get up, like Khamzat against DDP.”
The quote offers valuable insight into Pimblett’s mindset. He knows Topuria is dangerous in exchanges, with powerful boxing and an aggressive forward style, but he also believes that if he can implement his grappling game, the fight could swing in his favor.
A Rivalry with History
What makes this potential fight even more compelling is that it’s not just a hypothetical matchup — it’s a feud with history. Years ago, Pimblett and Topuria were involved in a physical altercation, a brief but memorable clash that UFC fans still reference.
The encounter, often dubbed the “hand sanitizer incident,” became viral content, with clips showing tensions boiling over outside of the cage. The incident cemented a personal edge to their rivalry, turning what could have been a standard matchup into something personal, raw, and highly marketable.
The Lightweight Title Picture Is Shifting
With the UFC lightweight division in a state of transition, the timing of this fight couldn’t be better. Topuria, though technically a featherweight champion, has hinted at ambitions beyond his current weight class. Meanwhile, Pimblett is climbing rapidly, with a growing fan base eager to see him tested against elite competition.
Add in names like Justin Gaethje — always lurking near the top — and suddenly the title picture becomes less predictable and far more exciting. The possibility of Pimblett bypassing the usual ladder and going straight for gold may frustrate purists, but it would undoubtedly draw huge pay-per-view numbers, a reality the UFC can’t ignore.
The Matchmaking Puzzle
UFC matchmakers now face a familiar but challenging scenario: balancing competitive integrity with entertainment value. On paper, fighters like Tsarukyan or Mateusz Gamrot may deserve a shot before Pimblett. But in practice, the business side of the UFC is built on fights that capture the imagination of fans worldwide.
The Pimblett-Topuria rivalry offers that rare blend of technical intrigue, personal bad blood, and marketability. It’s a fight that doesn’t need months of promotional buildup — the footage, the quotes, and the backstory already exist.
What a Pimblett vs. Topuria Fight Would Look Like
From a stylistic perspective, the matchup is fascinating. Ilia Topuria brings explosive boxing, tight combinations, and underrated grappling. He is aggressive, confident, and technically sound, capable of overwhelming opponents early.
Paddy Pimblett, meanwhile, thrives in chaos. His willingness to pressure, mix in submissions, and absorb punishment in exchange for opportunities makes him dangerous in scrambles. If Pimblett can survive the initial striking exchanges and drag the fight to the mat, his path to victory becomes clearer.
For Topuria, the key would be controlling distance, punishing entries, and denying Pimblett the chance to create the kind of grappling-heavy fight he excels in.
Timing Could Be Everything
With UFC schedules often shifting based on injuries, negotiations, and timing, the window for making this fight happen feels imminent. If the UFC wants to capitalize on current momentum — with fans already talking, social media dissecting every quote, and both fighters making subtle callouts — the end of the year or early next year could be the perfect moment.
For Pimblett, the opportunity to leapfrog into a title shot would validate his confidence and accelerate his career trajectory. For Topuria, it would be a chance to silence a longtime critic while expanding his star power beyond featherweight.
The Big Picture
The UFC thrives on fights like this — unpredictable, emotional, and impossible to ignore. Whether or not it happens next is still uncertain, but one thing is clear: Paddy Pimblett has set his sights on Ilia Topuria, and the MMA world is paying attention.
If the fight is booked, expect fireworks, trash talk, and a buildup that dominates headlines for weeks. It’s a reminder that in mixed martial arts, opportunities don’t always follow a straight path — sometimes they explode into existence through timing, tension, and the irresistible pull of a grudge waiting to be settled inside the Octagon.
