Ilia Topuria seems confident that he can return to the cage around April 2025 to defend his lightweight title. But the division can only move as fast as its slowing moving part, and that could be Paddy
Pimblett if he wins the interim 155 pound belt at UFC 324 this Saturday, Jan. 24th.
Pimblett faces Justin Gaethje in Las Vegas this weekend, and “The Baddy” isn’t interested in making a quick turnaround to satisfy Topuria’s proposed schedule.
“He’s not getting me back in April, lad,” Pimblett told TMZ Sports. “He’s gonna have to wait.
“He made me wait, he can wait a few months,” he continued. “April is not happening, lad. I’m not fighting in April, he can eat s**t. I’ll fight him in, like, July. June or July.”
That’s three to four months later than Topuria’s proposed April date, which is a long time for fans to wait. But Pimblett isn’t being all that unreasonable with his timeline. Returning in April would mean returning just over two months after his UFC 324 fight. That’s not enough time to rest, recover, and then get back into the most important fight camp of his career.
Topuria may have to wait for Pimblett if “The Baddy” wins, but Pimblett isn’t willing to wait for Topuria should the champion’s messy divorce keep him occupied past that June or July date.
“Ilia isn’t going to get the same breathing space as Jon Jones,” Pimblett said in an interview with BBC Sport. “If Ilia is not back by June-July, I think I’ll become undisputed.”
Pimblett would rather face Topuria in the summer than get upgraded, though.
“In an ideal world, I beat Justin, then I beat Ilia for the undisputed title,” Pimblett said. “And then before the end of the year defend it against someone.”
Step one of that process is beating “The Highlight” at UFC 324.
