Paddy Pimblett Predicts Downfall of Ilia Topuria and Calls Him Scared to Do Ultimate Fighter

UFC superstars Paddy Pimblett and Ilia Topuria has so much animosity towards each other despite never fighting inside the octagon. The British star wants to fight the former lightweight champion and do a season of The Ultimate Fighter with him. Even the fans want to see that happen.

UFC CEO Dana White spoke about the possibility of a Topuria vs Pimblett TUF season. However, Topuria will only return next year whereas Pimblett is ready to fight one more time this year. In a recent podcast appearance, ‘The Baddy’ talked extensively about his heated rival.

Pimblett felt that losing the undefeated status would mess with ‘El Matador’ moving forward. Topuria took some time away after losing to Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250. Pimblett thinks that it was a sign of the impending downfall of the Georgian-Spanish fighter.

He’s never lost before, and he’s about 27 or something. His whole aura was about being unbeatable and all that. Now he’s been beaten, and that’s in his head. I’m very disappointed that I’m not the one who took his undefeated record. But, I’ll be the one to send him back down to featherweight, so that’s good enough.

Paddy Pimblett via All Out Fighting YT Channel

‘The Baddy’ compared the scenario with his career, saying that he learned how to lose a long time ago. Even with neither of them holding a title, Dana White thinks that Topuria vs Pimblett can main event a numbered card.

With such deep seated rivalry, both of them doing a season of The Ultimate Fighter will lead to more entertainment. To that end, Pimblett once again expressed his interest in doing TUF with Topuria on the podcast.

I think he’ll be scared to do it because he knows I’ll get in his head so badly that he wouldn’t be able to focus on the fight. I’d be winding him up so much. I don’t think he’ll accept it. I’d love him to, but I just don’t think he’s got the balls.

Paddy Pimblett via All Out Fighting YT Channel

Paddy Pimblett once again expresses interest in coaching against Ilia Topuria on The Ultimate Fighter, but says Ilia wouldn’t accept the offer if the UFC offers him. 👀 "I think he’ll be scared to do it because he knows I’ll get in his head so badly that he wouldn’t be able to focus on the fight. I’d be winding him up so much. I don’t think he’ll accept it. I’d love him to, but I just don’t think he’s got the balls.” via: All out fighting YT

— MMA Pros Pick (@MMA_PROS_PICK_) October 14, 2026

At the moment, the promotion is figuring out what to do with the lightweight division. After all, Arman Tsarukyan’s KO win at UFC 331 may have earned him the next title shot. Tsarukyan wanted Topuria to step aside so that he can face Gaethje for the lightweight title.

In recent weeks, Topuria has started to train after his title loss. He is expected to return in the first quarter of 2026. As such, it remains to be seen if the promotion can figure out how to do a season of TUF before they pit Topuria and Pimblett against each other.

Paddy Pimblett shares when he’ll fight again

‘The Baddy’ fought twice in 2026. His first appearance came against Gaethje at UFC 324 in January for the promotion’s debut on Paramount+. After losing to Gaethje, Pimblett returned in July to defeat Benoit Saint-Denis in the co-main event of UFC 329.

The promotion hasn’t booked a fight for Pimblett despite putting ‘BSD’ to sleep in 52 seconds and leaving the fight without any major injury. After a stunning performance like that, MMA fans are eagerly waiting to see who Pimblett will face next.

For now, he is not likely to fight again in 2026 as the final numbered card (UFC 335) booked its main and co-main event bouts. Furthermore, the UK fighter revealed that he would not fight again in January moving forward due to Christmas and New Year plans impacting training camps and weight cutting.

😬🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Paddy Pimblett is expecting to return to the octagon in March / April in 2027, and says he will never fight in January again. “I don’t know what’s happening at the minute. We’ll have to wait and see. Everyone in my division could be booked up. I’m never fighting in January again. If we don’t fight before the end of the year, it’ll be March or April.” (via All Out Fighting / YT)

— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) October 14, 2026

With such scheduling conflicts, Pimblett admitted that he would only return by March or April next year. The MMA community will definitely not like that news. It remains to be seen if the UFC can book a matchup for the former title challenger that is worth the wait.

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• Justin Gaethje Snubs Khabib Nurmagomedov From Personal MMA Mount Rushmore and Says Ilia Topuria Didn’t Quit