Paddy Pimblett and Ilia Topuria finally finding common ground will not have been on most fans bingo cards to close out 2025.
The lightweight duo are bitter rivals, dating back years to even before Pimblett’s tenure in the UFC. They had appeared to be on a collision course for lightweight gold to start out next year and the $7.7 billion new Paramount deal, but that fell apart and the Brit now fights for interim gold.
How long do you think Ilia Topuria will be sidelined for?
The UFC lightweight champion is taking a break from MMA to focus on a problem outside the Octagon.
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And now, it seems that they have found agreement in one thing – the mocking of top contender Arman Tsarukyan.
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Ilia Topuria dismisses Arman Tsarukyan as serious title contender
When Paddy Pimblett vs Justin Goethe was booked for UFC 324, the odd man out appeared to be the Armenian, who hasn’t lost in years and is still ranked number one. But it seems that even Ilia Topuria is on Pimblett’s side when it comes to Tsarukyan’s spot in the division.
The grappling star infamously pulled out of last January’s UFC 311 title fight with Islam Makhachev on hours’ notice, leaving Renato Moicano to step in. He returned with a win over Dan Hooker, but even that was put at risk when he headbutted his opponent at ceremonial…
2025-12-21 20:00:00
