Paddy Pimblett has said the UFC should strip Ilia Topuria of the lightweight title if the champion does not return to action by June or July, as the division prepares for an interim title fight in Las Vegas this weekend.
Topuria is currently on hiatus while dealing with personal issues following his divorce. In his absence, Pimblett will face Justin Gaethje for the interim lightweight belt on Saturday, with the winner expected to meet the champion when he returns.
Pimblett said he does not expect to wait long for unification if he wins, contrasting his situation with that of fellow Briton Tom Aspinall, who waited 19 months to be upgraded from interim heavyweight champion while Jon Jones considered retirement.
“Ilia isn’t going to get the same breathing space as Jon Jones,” Pimblett told BBC Sport. “If Ilia is not back by June-July, I think I’ll become undisputed.
“In an ideal world I beat Justin. Then I beat Ilia for the undisputed title, and then before the end of the year defend it against someone.”
Topuria said on social media this week that he plans to return in “April or June” and intends to face the winner of the Gaethje v Pimblett bout.
The interim title fight has raised eyebrows, with neither Pimblett nor Gaethje ranked in the top three of the lightweight division. However, with the UFC launching its new broadcast partnership with Paramount at UFC 324 and Pimblett riding a seven-fight winning streak, the organisation opted for two of its most marketable names.
Pimblett, 31, dismissed criticism from those who felt top contenders such as Arman Tsarukyan, Charles Oliveira or Max Holloway should have been given the opportunity.
“It makes sense given the situation,” he said. “We don’t know when Topuria is coming back and we can’t hold the division up. There’s been interim belts made for less.
“They know we aren’t boring. We want to entertain and it’s what we’ll do for however long we last.”
Since joining the UFC in 2021, Pimblett has enjoyed a rapid rise from former Cage Warriors champion to one of the promotion’s biggest stars. He has won every bout put in front of him and built a large following, setting up the chance to become Liverpool’s first UFC title holder.
Only Tom Aspinall, Michael Bisping and Leon Edwards have previously won UFC belts from the UK.
Looking ahead to Saturday’s contest, Pimblett was confident in his assessment of Gaethje.
“I don’t see Justin getting past the third round,” he said. “Justin’s a brawler. He’s a boxer, a boxer with leg kicks, and doesn’t really grapple much at all.”
