Ilia Topuria has mapped an 'easy' route to the title for Paddy Pimblett.
'The Baddy' proved all his doubters wrong by Michael Chandler on his way to a TKO victory on the third round at UFC 314 in Miami, Florida, on Saturday evening.
Paddy Pimblett is now at #8 in the lightweight division that has been taken over by Islam Makhachev.
Ilia Topuria recently re-applied his belt of featherweight and announced a movement to 155 pounds, allowing him to see the pound-for-pound number one before he possibly defended his second UFC belt against the Englishman.
Photo by Aldara Zarraoa/Getty images
Ilia Topuria predicts Paddy Pimblett vs Justin Gaethje
It is generally believed that Pimblett is still a big win from a lightweight title shot.
The 30-year-old called Charles Oliveira as his ideal opponent during an interview after the fight with Joe Rogan, in which he expressed his willingness to fight against everyone in the top five, alongside Arman Tsarukyan.
Topuria shares a long and bitter history with Pimblet, with whom he had a hotel meat in March 2022.
Yet he hopes to see him move forward to championship level, so that they can arrange their rivalry in the Octagon.
Topuria believes that the easiest route from Pimblett to the title is via former interim champion Justin Gaethje.
“I would place Justin Gaethje against Paddy Pimblett [and] I to Islam, “he said during a recent performance on Rogan's podcast. “As soon as I pass him, I get the title and you put myself against Paddy.
'I think he's going [beat Gaethje] Simple … he doesn't know how to struggle and Paddy knows how.
“Have you ever seen him submit someone? What everyone likes is to dominate people and win as quickly as possible. If you had the opportunity to submit someone, you would do it.”
Ilia Topuria wants Paddy Pimblett Title Fight
Conor McGregor is an opponent Topuria would be willing to face if he did not get Makhachev then.
However, he says that the potential resort with Pimblett in the 80,000-Capcity stadium of Real Mardrid is much more attractive for him.
Topuria added: “What fascinates me more is the fight with paddy.
“If they could do that fight in Spain, in the Bernabeu Stadium.
“I know that Dana does not like the events in stadiums, but that is the only stadium in the world that they can close the roof.”
Comments