Ilia Topuria Calls for Paddy Pimblett Fight in April 2027

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Ilia Topuria wants Paddy Pimblett next, targeting an Octagon return around April 2027 after his first career loss. The former UFC lightweight and featherweight champion addressed his stoppage defeat to Justin Gaethje in a new interview with Spanish outlet ABC Diario and immediately pivoted to the fighter he has been itching to face.

"I've been in the worst situation a fighter can be in," Topuria said. "I have seen the worst day of my job. What's worse than that, dying? I've achieved everything, and after this fight, what else? Maybe I'll even retire. From April onwards is when we're considering the return... Paddy, Paddy, Paddy. I eat him like a sausage, which he is."

What Happened to Ilia Topuria Against Justin Gaethje

Ilia Topuria suffered the first loss of his professional career in June when Justin Gaethje stopped him in the corner at the end of the fourth round in the main event of UFC White House. Topuria entered that fight as a heavy favorite and was expected to chase a move up to welterweight to challenge Islam Makhachev after beating Gaethje. Instead Gaethje delivered one of the biggest upsets of the year, and Topuria has stayed mostly silent in the months since. UFC CEO Dana White confirmed this week that the promotion is already working on Topuria's comeback fight, telling Jim Rome, "He'll be back in 2027. We're working on that too."

Why Topuria Wants Paddy Pimblett

The grudge between Ilia Topuria and Paddy Pimblett goes back to comments Pimblett made about Topuria's home country of Georgia, and the two have traded barbs ever since. Topuria calling him out by name, three times in a row, signals this is the fight he wants most for his return rather than an easier voyage back into title contention. For Topuria, beating Pimblett would double as retribution for the comments and a statement that the Gaethje loss was a blip rather than the start of a decline. For Pimblett, landing the fight would be the biggest opportunity of his career, a chance to beat a former two-division champion coming off his first defeat.

Betting Angle

Nothing is booked yet, but the moment UFC puts Topuria-Pimblett on paper, expect Topuria to open as a solid favorite given the gap in résumé and finishing ability, even coming off a loss. The real number to watch is how the market prices the layoff and the psychological fallout from getting stopped by Gaethje. Books tend to shade lines toward the fighter with something to prove in a grudge match, and Topuria has both the chip on his shoulder and the higher ceiling. If the fight does get made for an April 2027 return, expect the opening line to move early as fans on both sides, Topuria's and Pimblett's, pile in on social buzz before oddsmakers settle the number.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who does Ilia Topuria want to fight next in the UFC?

Ilia Topuria has called out Paddy Pimblett for his next UFC fight, targeting a return to the Octagon around April 2027.

What happened in Ilia Topuria's last fight?

Ilia Topuria lost for the first time in his career when Justin Gaethje stopped him in the corner at the end of the fourth round in the UFC White House main event in June.