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Paddy Pimblett insists he will bring Ilia Topuria ‘crashing back down’ in rumored UFC title fight

Originally posted on Bloody Elbow | By Jamie Theodosi | Last updated Nov 3, 2025 10:37 AM ET

Rumors continue to swirl regarding a potential UFC lightweight title clash between Ilia Topuria and Paddy Pimblett.

After winning the vacant lightweight strap earlier this year after knocking Charles Oliveira out cold, fans have continued to discuss what could be next for Ilia Topuria.

Immediately after that fight, ‘El Matador’ faced off with rising contender Paddy Pimblett, potentially hinting at that being his first title defense.

Despite that, UFC boss Dana White quickly shut down that idea, stating that the face off shouldn’t have happened, and it was orchestrated by Joe Rogan.

However, since then, rumors have continued to swirl that the promotion is planning a Topuria vs Pimblett title fight for the first numbered event of the UFC’s new deal with Paramount in 2026.

Pimblett insists he’ll destroy Topuria in rumored title clash

Although the Spaniard continues to hint at a potential future fight against Islam Makhachev at the UFC White House event next year, he recently revealed that his preference would be to fight Pimblett over other lightweight contenders.

The two have had a feud that has been budding for several years now, and they first clashed at UFC London when they were both competing on the same card.

And despite Topuria being one of the most dominant current fighters in the sport, ‘The Baddy’ has claimed that he would bring the Spaniard ‘crashing back down’ to earth if they clashed.

“I’d absolutely smash his face in for him,” Pimblett told James Sweetnam in an interview.

“I can see me beating him anywhere the fight goes to be honest, people put him on a pedestal now they think he’s this big amazing thing, when I’ll bring him crashing back down to earth in a big way,” he continued.

Islam Makhachev slams Topuria vs Pimblett clash

The former champion of the division, Makhachev, has slammed the potential fight between Topuria and Pimblett, claiming that the Scouser isn’t a ‘real challenge’ for the champion.

Outside of Pimblett, there are several other contenders who fans believe are more deserved of the title fight, with Arman Tsarukyan being the most deserved in the majority of fans’ eyes.

Another one of which is longtime lightweight Justin Gaethje, who told the UFC he will retire if he isn’t given a title shot in his next fight.

This article first appeared on Bloody Elbow and was syndicated with permission.

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