Paddy Pimblett calls Ilia Topuria 'fat featherweight,' doubts return

Paddy Pimblett says he'll take Ilia Topuria's first fight back after the former champion's knockout loss to Justin Gaethje — if Topuria ever steps in the cage again.

Pimblett faces Benoit Saint Denis at UFC 329 on July 11, but his focus remains on Topuria, the man he was scheduled to fight before losing a decision to Gaethje in January. Gaethje then knocked out Topuria at the UFC White House event, putting the two rivals back on a collision course.

Pimblett questions Topuria's ability to bounce back from first loss

Speaking on Demetrious Johnson's YouTube channel, as reported by MMA Mania, Pimblett said Topuria has never faced real adversity. "Gaethje took him into that dogfight, dragged him into it, and Ilia's never had that," Pimblett said. "Ilia's never had to come back from adversity. Ilia's only ever been the hammer. He's never been the nail."

Pimblett dismissed Topuria's power at lightweight, calling him a featherweight who has moved up a division. "He's a fat featherweight," Pimblett told the podcast. "I would take his punches all day and laugh in his face and punch him in the face and he'll know about it."

Pimblett questioned whether Topuria possesses the mental fortitude to return after his first career loss. "We'll find out what sort of man he is, if he does come back and when he does come back," he said. "You never know, he might not have the cojones to do it."

Saint Denis enters UFC 329 riding a four-fight win streak, all finishes, and represents a dangerous test for Pimblett before any potential Topuria showdown materializes.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — Paddy Pimblett happy to fight ‘fat featherweight’ Ilia Topuria, if ‘El Matador’ has the cojones