Ilia Topuria Criticizes Paddy Pimblett, Claims Justin Gaethje Faces Defeat
UFC lightweight fighter Ilia Topuria has shared his thoughts on the recent UFC 324 event, which crowned Justin Gaethje as the interim champion. Gaethje secured a unanimous decision victory over Paddy Pimblett, but Topuria wasn’t impressed by the outcome.
Ilia Topuria’s Critique of UFC 324
Topuria took to social media to express his disappointment. He referred to Paddy Pimblett as a “little sausage,” emphasizing that he lost what could have been the biggest payday of his career. Additionally, Topuria claimed that Gaethje is “screwed no matter what” in their potential matchup.
Topuria’s Career Highlights
Ilia Topuria captured the lightweight title in June 2023 by knocking out Charles Oliveira in the first round at UFC 317. Prior to this achievement, he dominated the featherweight division. Although Topuria is the current champion, he has not yet defended his title.
Future Plans and Personal Challenges
The 29-year-old fighter had previously announced he wouldn’t compete in the first quarter of 2026 due to personal issues. In November, he discussed the “difficult moment” he was experiencing. A month later, he addressed what he called “severe and unacceptable pressure” related to false allegations regarding his absence from the cage.
Justin Gaethje’s Aspirations
On the other hand, Gaethje has expressed interest in a title unification fight. He hopes to schedule this significant bout at a UFC event in June set to take place at the White House.
- Ilia Topuria: Current lightweight champion
- Justin Gaethje: Interim champion after UFC 324
- Paddy Pimblett: Opponent defeated by Gaethje
- Topuria’s Title Win: Knockout of Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 in June 2023
As the landscape of the UFC lightweight division continues to evolve, the potential showdown between Topuria and Gaethje remains highly anticipated. Fans are eager to see how these fighters will navigate their challenging circumstances and ambitions moving forward.
