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Paddy Pimblett warned he has ‘no chance’ in rumoured Ilia Topuria UFC title clash

Originally posted on Bloody Elbow | By Donagh Corby | Last updated Oct 14, 2025 8:54 PM ET

Paddy Pimblett has earned fans’ respect with his explosive run into UFC title contention – but his fellow top contenders aren’t so sure.

For years, the Liverpool native was something of a gimmick fighter in the lightweight division. Consensus among experts was that he would be comfortably beaten as he rose through the ranks, but dominant victories over King Green and Michael Chandler have shut down those opinions.

Now, partially due to the intensity of their years-long rivalry, it seems that the Scouser could be heading for a world title clash with the newly-crowned champion Ilia Topuria. But his fellow contender Beneil Dariush reckons he won’t last long at that level.

Beneil Dariush believes Paddy Pimblett has limited chance against Ilia Topuria

In recent weeks, despite a lengthy layoff, Paddy Pimblett has found himself reaching new heights in the UFC lightweight rankings. Just behind the seventh placed Brit is number nine Beneil Dariush, who called for a fight with him at UFC 322 which never came to fruition.

And Dariush believes Pimblett has limited opportunities against Topuria, telling Submission Radio when asked if he sees him being a threat: “No, not particularly. I honestly can’t see where he would be a threat.

“In the striking? I think he’s going to be in a lot of danger, then in the grappling if he gets a takedown he’s a very good grappler. But do I think he can get a takedown on Ilia? I don’t know because from what I’ve seen and heard about Ilia he has fantastic wrestling and his takedown defence is world class.”

Beneil Dariush feels UFC ‘protected’ Paddy Pimblett from UFC 322 showdown

Dariush wanted to face Pimblett given their proximity in the rankings, and felt that UFC 322 at Madison Square Garden was the perfect place to do it. However, the promotion weren’t fond of the idea, telling him that Pimblett was ‘busy’.

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Instead, he faces Benoit Saint-Denis, claiming that the UFC will prefer to keep certain fighters from those who might beat them, while not having a particularly big name. “In some cases they protect some of their guys,” he continued.

“They don’t want me to spoil some of these guys so I think to some degree, unless they have to give me a top ranked guy they don’t want to give me a top ranked guy.”

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

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