Ilia Topuria Questions If Paddy Pimblett Has The Skills To Reach The Top

Paddy Pimblett and Ilia Topuria (Image Credits: Imagn)

Ilia Topuria Questions If Paddy Pimblett Has The Skills To Reach The Top

Originally posted on Total Pro Sports | By Pavan Sharma | Last updated Apr 21, 2026 1:36 PM ET

Justin Gaethje ruined the Paddy Pimblett vs. Ilia Topuria fight by defeating the 31-year-old in a title eliminator bout. However, everyone predicted that “The Baddy” would fight in the UFC soon and bounce back from the loss. Talking about that, Ilia Topuria questioned Pimblett’s potential to get to the top.

The lightweight champion believed the 31-year-old could recover mentally from his loss to Justin Gaethje, but he didn’t think the English fighter could improve enough technically to reach the top level. During his recent interview with Ariel Helwani, Topuria said:

“[Of course he can] rebound from a loss. But how is he going to gain the skills and technique in this sport? That’s basically impossible. He needs to die and be born again.”

Ilia Topuria believes Paddy Pimblett can bounce back after the Justin Gaethje loss, but doubts he can reach the elite level in terms of skills and technique.

"[Of course he can] rebound from a loss, but how is he going to gain the skills and technique in this sport? That's… pic.twitter.com/IiD3lv2ey8
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) April 21, 2026

“El Matador” believed that developing elite skills and technique at this stage was much harder. Fans still waited for the lightweight champion to face “The Baddy,” but now Pimblett needed at least two to three wins to get to a title shot.

Paddy Pimblett Says That He Will Return At International Fight Week

Paddy Pimblett said he would return at International Fight Week on July 11. After missing out on the lightweight title and losing a decision to Justin Gaethje at UFC 324, Pimblett was looking to bounce back quickly.

During his recent interview with BBC Sport, Pimblett said: “I’m gonna be fighting in 12 weeks… July 11 it’s gonna be.”

Paddy Pimblett announced that he's got a fight set for International Fight Week

"I'm gonna be fighting in 12 weeks… July 11 it's gonna be."

(via @BBCSport) pic.twitter.com/SvEYgWeREw
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) April 17, 2026

His opponent had not been announced yet, but “The Baddy” confirmed that his next fight was only around 12 weeks away. The English fighter himself once revealed that he would be facing Benoit Saint Denis, but nothing had been confirmed yet, and fans were still waiting for the official announcement.

This article first appeared on Total Pro Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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