Ilia Topuria has unloaded on Paddy Pimblett in the aftermath of UFC 324, questioning the Liverpudlian’s standing as a legitimate contender following his interim title defeat to Justin Gaethje.
UFC 324 was promoted as a major opportunity for Pimblett to capture interim gold against Gaethje, but it was Gaethje who emerged victorious and claimed the belt. Topuria, who had expected Pimblett to be his first title defense in a grudge match, said he was taken aback by what he saw.
“I was a little surprised at how bad Paddy really is,” Topuria said. “I was expecting him to win, to be honest. I was expecting him to take Justin down, to do a different fight. What he did inside the Octagon in that fight, it surprised me a little bit. He really proved that he’s a little sausage.
… Rebound from a loss? Of course, but how he is going to gain the skills and technique needed in the sport? That’s basically impossible. He needs to die and be born again … now he’s too far [down the rankings], we don’t see him in the horizon anymore. Bye Paddy. I didn’t even have to step inside the octagon to beat him, so that feels even a little bit better.”
Pimblett is rumored to be targeting a return during International Fight Week in July, with a potential matchup against Benoit Saint Denis being discussed.
