Cejudo On Topuria's Next Fight After Gaethje Loss

Henry Cejudo wants Ilia Topuria to settle his feud with Paddy Pimblett rather than chase a rematch with Justin Gaethje.

The former two-division UFC champion told MMA Junkie that Gaethje is unlikely to offer Topuria another shot after stopping him at UFC Freedom 250 earlier this year. Cejudo suggested the damage Topuria absorbed in that fight requires time before a competitive rematch makes sense.

Why Cejudo Favors The Pimblett Matchup

"It's not just losing," Cejudo said. "It's getting your ass kicked and getting beat up. Getting beat up, it takes a minute for your brain to come back and your spirit to come back." He added that Topuria and Pimblett have feuded for years outside the cage, making the matchup a natural storyline reset for the featherweight contender.

Cejudo pointed to fighter leverage as another factor working against a quick Gaethje rematch. "Justin Gaethje has one year to say 'yes, I want to fight' or 'no, I do not want to fight,'" he said, per MMA Junkie. "The UFC don't want to do that, especially after the no mas thing."

Under Cejudo's plan, the winner of Topuria versus Pimblett would then face Gaethje in a title eliminator. Topuria has not publicly committed to a return date, though BJPenn.com reports he could fight again before the year ends.

Reported via:

• BJPenn — Henry Cejudo becomes latest fighter to suggest Ilia Topuria vs Paddy Pimblett