Paddy Pimblett rules out Ilia Topuria fight after UFC 329

Paddy Pimblett does not expect Ilia Topuria to be his next opponent even if he beats Benoit Saint Denis at UFC 329.

The Liverpool lightweight told MMA Fighting's Spinnin Backfist podcast that Topuria remains too banged up from his June loss to Justin Gaethje at UFC White House to compete again this calendar year. "That man's face is mashed up," Pimblett said, per the report. "He's not coming back before the end of the year and I'd like to fight again before the end of the year."

Pimblett reflects on Gaethje loss and path forward

Pimblett dropped a decision to Gaethje in January while competing for the interim lightweight title, a result he now views as fate. He suggested Gaethje was destined to beat him so the American could headline the historic White House card and capture the belt from Topuria. "I think it was destiny," he said. "That's why nothing happened over the eye pokes. He was meant to beat me so he could go and win on the White House lawn."

The bad blood with Topuria persists. Pimblett called the former champion "a fat featherweight" and predicted that if they ever meet at 155 pounds, Topuria will drop back down to featherweight immediately after. "We have weight classes for a reason," Pimblett said. "If he fights me, he will realize how small he is for the weight."

As for a Gaethje rematch, Pimblett acknowledged he cannot demand that fight with only a win over Saint Denis. He said he would likely need to beat "BSD" and then another contender before earning another crack at the American. Pimblett co-headlines UFC 329 on July 11.

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• MMA Fighting — Paddy Pimblett explains why he doesn’t expect to fight Ilia Topuria next after UFC 329