Pimblett: I'd Beat Topuria as Fast as McGregor Beat Aldo

Paddy Pimblett says he would finish Ilia Topuria just as quickly as Conor McGregor knocked out Jose Aldo if the UFC ever makes the fight.

"I'd love to fight Ilia Topuria," Pimblett said on the Kolos MMA podcast. "I'd send him back down to featherweight. I think me and Ilia Topuria would be a brilliant season of The Ultimate Fighter because I'd get under his skin so much that when we come into the fight I'd beat him just as fast as McGregor beat Aldo."

Pimblett is referencing the 13-second knockout that made McGregor a featherweight champion and a superstar in 2015. There's no indication the UFC has that fight signed. It's a callout, not a booking, but it lands at a moment when Pimblett's name is squarely in the lightweight title conversation.

Where Pimblett Stands After UFC 329

Pimblett put himself back in the mix with a 52-second submission finish of Benoit Saint Denis at UFC 329, improving to 24-4 as a pro. Lightweight champion Justin Gaethje is reportedly weighing his next challenger between Arman Tsarukyan and Topuria, the man Gaethje beat to win the belt at UFC White House. Whichever contender Gaethje passes on could land across from Pimblett.

A fight between Pimblett and Topuria has been brewing for years, dating back to when Topuria was still cleaning out the featherweight division and Pimblett was climbing the lightweight ladder. The two even had a tense staredown in the octagon after Topuria beat Charles Oliveira for the lightweight title, though nothing was ever made official.

Topuria, for his part, is currently pushing for an immediate rematch with Gaethje and has accused the champion of loading his gloves during their June fight. Pimblett dismissed that claim outright, saying Topuria is "making excuses when he lost fair and square."

What a Pimblett-Topuria Fight Would Mean for the Division

Pimblett made clear his actual preference is a title shot against Gaethje over a non-title grudge match with Topuria. "I obviously want to be a world champion so I'd pick Gaethje, but if there was no belt on the line at all between any of them, I want to beat Ilia Topuria up," he said. He was less complimentary toward Tsarukyan, calling him spoiled and promising to render him unconscious whenever they do meet.

None of this is booked. Gaethje hasn't picked his next opponent, and Topuria is still lobbying publicly for the rematch he wants instead. But Pimblett's comments signal he sees himself as live for either direction the lightweight picture takes, and he's already selling the Topuria fight as the one with McGregor-Aldo-level finish potential if it ever gets made.

For bettors, the real number to watch right now isn't a Pimblett-Topuria line, since that fight doesn't exist on paper. It's how the market reacts once Gaethje actually names his opponent. A Topuria rematch would likely open with Gaethje favored again given how the first fight ended, while a Tsarukyan fight sets up as a closer, grappling-heavy pick'em. Either outcome directly shapes what's next for Pimblett, and sportsbooks won't have a real number on him against Topuria until the UFC commits to that pairing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did Paddy Pimblett say about fighting Ilia Topuria?

Paddy Pimblett said he would finish Ilia Topuria as quickly as Conor McGregor knocked out Jose Aldo in 13 seconds, though no fight between Pimblett and Topuria is currently booked.

What is Paddy Pimblett's UFC record after UFC 329?

Paddy Pimblett improved to 24-4 after submitting Benoit Saint Denis in 52 seconds at UFC 329.

Who is Justin Gaethje expected to fight next?

UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje is reportedly deciding between Ilia Topuria and Arman Tsarukyan for his next title defense, with Paddy Pimblett positioned as a possible option for whichever contender is passed over.