​LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JANUARY 22: Paddy Pimblett of England is pictured on stage at the UFC 324 press conference at T-Mobile Arena on January 22, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC) Pimblett faces a major hurdle with Benoit Saint Denis set as his opponent in the UFC 329 co-main event, yet he cannot escape questions about a potential clash with Ilia Topuria later this year if he wins. Despite repeatedly pursuing that matchup, Pimblett doesn’t expect Topuria to be his next foe if he defeats Saint Denis on July 11. In fact, he doubts Topuria will be ready to fight again before 2026 ends, given the punishment he took in his title fight loss to Justin Gaethje at UFC White House.
“Everyone keeps saying, ‘Fight Ilia next,’” Pimblett told Spinnin Backfist. “That guy’s face is mashed up. He’s not coming back before year’s end, and I’d like to fight again before then.”
So, we’ll just wait and see what unfolds in MMA, where the unpredictable nature of the sport often dictates the next steps.
Earlier this year, Pimblett had an opportunity to line up a bout with Topuria, but he fell short in his bid to win the interim UFC lightweight title after dropping a decision to Gaethje in January. Although he wanted that win to set up a clash with Topuria for the undisputed belt, Pimblett felt fate favored Gaethje to secure that opportunity so he could compete on the historic White House card in June.
“I’ve got no hard feelings toward Justin Gaethje,” Pimblett said. “He beat me. The better man won that night. I think it was fate for him to beat me so he could beat Ilia on the White House lawn and be the American in the main event who wins the title. I just think it was destiny. That’s why nothing happened over the eye pokes [in our fight]. It was just destiny. He was meant to beat me so he could go and win on the White House lawn.”
In a perfect world, Pimblett would love to settle unfinished business with Topuria and also capture the title from Gaethje, but both goals remain hypothetical at this point. The lingering feud with Topuria will always be a factor, and Pimblett promises that if they ever meet, it will be the last time “El Matador” competes at 155 pounds.
“I always say it: We have weight classes for a reason,” Pimblett said. “Ilia Topuria is a fat featherweight. He’s not a lightweight. If I ever fight him, people will realize that. If he fights me, he will move back down to [featherweight]. Because he will realize how small he is for the weight.” As for a future rematch with Gaethje, Pimblett knows a path exists, but it will require more time and a better setup.