Paddy Pimblett Calls for TUF Season and Title Shot After UFC

Paddy Pimblett is pushing for a blockbuster showdown with Ilia Topuria, suggesting the UFC build the fight through a season of The Ultimate Fighter. The Liverpool lightweight, fresh off a 52 second submission win over Benoit Saint Denis at UFC 329, sees the reality show as the perfect stage to wage psychological warfare before a potential clash.

Pimblett Plots McGregor-Style Mind Games on TUF

Pimblett has no fight booked but is clear about his target. "I would love to fight Ilia Topuria," he said in a recent interview. He believes their long-simmering feud, which dates back to a physical altercation at UFC London in 2022, would make for compelling television. Pimblett is confident he can get inside Topuria's head during the six-week filming process, predicting a swift victory. "I'd get under his skin so much, that when we come into the fight, I'd beat him just as fast as McGregor beat Aldo," he stated, referencing Conor McGregor's famous 13 second knockout of Jose Aldo.

The Baddy Stakes His Claim for a Title Shot

Beyond the Topuria rivalry, Pimblett is making a case for a shot at UFC gold. He lost a decision to interim champion Justin Gaethje earlier in 2026 but rebounded with his quick finish of the fifth-ranked Saint Denis. Pimblett argues this win is superior to Arman Tsarukyan's recent knockout of seventh-ranked Mauricio Ruffy. He questions why Tsarukyan is being positioned ahead of him for a title opportunity. "I'll just fight whoever's name gets put on a contract to me. I don't turn down any fights," Pimblett said, though his preference for a championship opportunity is unmistakable.

Celebrating a Teammate's UFC Breakthrough

Pimblett's focus isn't solely on his own career. He was in Las Vegas last night to support teammate George Staines on Dana White's Contender Series. The moment paid off spectacularly. Staines, an undefeated prospect from Next Generation MMA Liverpool, secured a UFC contract with a brutal slam knockout just 61 seconds into his fight. Pimblett's enthusiastic celebration highlighted the close-knit team environment that continues to produce talent for the promotion.

The UFC now has several intriguing options for one of its most popular fighters. A TUF season with Topuria would generate immense hype but delay an actual fight for months. An immediate bout with Topuria or another top-five contender is another path. Or, the promotion could be convinced by Pimblett's argument and place him next in line for the winner of the impending lightweight title unification bout. His active 2026 campaign, with two high-profile fights already, keeps him in the conversation at the very top of the division.

• Pimblett proposed coaching The Ultimate Fighter against rival Ilia Topuria to build their fight.
• He submitted Benoit Saint Denis in 52 seconds at UFC 329 to rebound from a loss to Justin Gaethje.
• Pimblett believes his win over the #5 ranked Saint Denis should earn him a title shot ahead of Arman Tsarukyan.
• His teammate, George Staines, earned a UFC contract with a first-round KO on the Contender Series.