Ilia Topuria’s first UFC Lightweight Title defence against Paddy Pimblett has been targeted for UFC 324 for some time, but the fight could now be in serious doubt.
Topuria vs Pimblett has been agreed according to multiple sources, but it seems the fight could now be in jeopardy with Pimblet frustrated at Topuria’s hold up.
Ilia Topuria vs Paddy Pimblett In Doubt As Hold Up Continues
Ilia Topuria vs Paddy Pimblett was confirmed for UFC 324, or so we thought. Now it seems the fight could be in jeopardy with continued delays to an official announcement from UFC President Dana White.
The general consensus is that Topuria’s first UFC Lightweight Title defence against Pimblett is still the front-running option, but there is now some doubt over the bout due to further delays and hold ups.
There is of course the added narrative that Justin Gaethje is demanding he be next for Topuria. The American has of course fought for the 155-pound belt twice, losing to Khabib Nurmagomedov and Charles Oliveira.
Although he has lost for the title twice, Gaethje has not been quiet in his demands for a third shot at the belt and Topuria’s champion spot. Although there has been continued jostling between Pimblett and Gaethje, not to mention Arman Tsarukyan, over who will be Topuria’s next fight, ‘The Paddy’ remains the most likely option.
The Spanish-Georgian MMA star will likely defend his UFC Lightweight Title at UFC 324 in the first numbered event of next year. Next year’s first numbered card also coincides with the beginning of the UFC’s new $7.7billion broadcast deal with Paramount+.
Topuria vs Pimblett would be an ideal way to kickstart the new multi-billion dollar broadcast deal, but it seems there is still plenty of work to do if UFC 324 is to be announced with ‘Em Matador’ as the main event against bitter rival ‘The Baddy’.
Paddy Pimblett Slams Ilia Topuria For UFC 324 Fight Announcement Delay
The hold up for Paddy Pimblett vs Ilia Topuria at UFC 324 all seems to be on the champions end as far as the #5 UFC lightweight contender is concerned.
Pimblett is beginning to get vocally frustrated in the wait for his maiden UFC Lightweight Title opportunity, and has slammed Topuria for holding up the fight announcement for far longer than necessary.
The Liverpudlian hasn’t fought since stopping former 155-pound title contender Michael Chandler in two rounds at UFC 314 back in April, meaning he will only have fought once in the entire calendar year of 2025. This simply isn’t enough for someone in the prime of their MMA career.
Speaking in a recent interview with JNMedia, Pimblett laid bare his irritation at the lack of clarity on his next fight and whether he will indeed face fierce rival Topuria in the main event at UFC 324 on January 10:
“Me and Topuria’s got the storyline built in. It’s all there,” Pimblett said.
“With Ilia having the belt it’s just a storyline that’s already set up and ready to go. I don’t know why it’s not already announced and made and written in a contract. We’ll see what happens in the next few weeks,” the 30-year-old explained.
Whether or not Topuria vs Pimblett headlines UFC 324 or not remains to be seen. ‘The Baddy’ remains the front-runner after ascending the lightweight rankings to #5, but Justin Gaethje and Arman Tsarukyan may well still get the nod before him. Time will tell.
Although no fights have been officially confirmed for UFC 324, Caio Borralho vs Michael Venom Page is officially targeted for the main card too, and could serve as the co-main event to Ilia Topuria vs Paddy Pimblett.
