Paddy Pimblett Reacts to Ilia Topuria Fight Rumors and Plans

Paddy Pimblett has directly addressed the swirling rumors that he will face Ilia Topuria at UFC 335 in December, stating he has not yet been contacted by the UFC about the bout. The lightweight contender, fresh from a significant win, finds himself at the center of multiple high-profile discussions about his future, his health, and even a surprising new venture outside the octagon.

While in Dublin to support his friend Molly McCann, Paddy Pimblett was asked about the persistent online chatter linking him to a December 12 showdown with former champion Ilia Topuria. He made his feelings clear but tempered expectations. "I’d love to smash his head in, lad, but we need to wait and see," Pimblett said. He confirmed that, as of early September, no one from the promotion had spoken to him about the fight. He listed several other potential opponents, including Arman Tsarukyan, Justin Gaethje, and Charles Oliveira, indicating his next move remains uncertain. Veteran commentator Jon Anik has suggested internal UFC conversations are leaning toward booking an immediate rematch between Topuria and current champion Gaethje, which could delay Pimblett's shot at a top-ranked name.

The Scouser recently revealed the staggering scale of his weight cut ahead of his last victory. In a video on his YouTube channel, Pimblett disclosed that he weighed 202 lbs on April 10. Just three months later, for his UFC 329 bout against Benoit Saint Denis in July, he hit the official lightweight limit of 156 lbs. That represents a total cut of 46 pounds, one of the most extreme reductions possible for a fighter in the 155-pound division. This detail shows the physical toll between fights for Pimblett, who is known for his substantial weight gain during periods of inactivity.

His longtime friend and training partner, Molly McCann, is betting on it. McCann, who has retired from MMA and is now pursuing a boxing world title, told reporters she texted Pimblett a bold prediction after his close loss to Justin Gaethje in January. "I texted him after Gaethje and said '2027 me and you will both be world champions again'," McCann said. She believes next year will see both of them achieve their championship dreams. Pimblett re-established himself as a serious contender by submitting Benoit Saint-Denis in the first round at UFC 329, putting him back in the title conversation.

Former two-division UFC champion Henry Cejudo is the latest notable figure to advocate for the matchup. Cejudo argued that an immediate Gaethje-Topuria rematch is unlikely because Gaethje, as champion, has leverage and may not want to grant Topuria another shot so soon after defeating him. "Ilia needs to fight 'Paddy the Baddy'," Cejudo stated. He framed it as the perfect competitive and narrative step, suggesting the winner should then challenge Gaethje. This builds on comments from UFC President Dana White, who previously called Pimblett an "intriguing option" for Topuria.

Away from the fight rumors, Pimblett has announced a joint project with acclaimed actor Tom Hardy. Details on the nature of their collaboration remain sparse, but the announcement itself has generated significant buzz, merging the worlds of elite combat sports and major entertainment.

• Key Takeaways
• Paddy Pimblett has not been officially offered a fight with Ilia Topuria for UFC 335, despite rumors and his own desire for the bout.
• He cut 46 pounds, from 202 lbs to 156 lbs, to make weight for his first-round submission win over Benoit Saint Denis at UFC 329 in July.
• Molly McCann predicts both she and Pimblett will become world champions in their respective sports in 2027.
• Henry Cejudo and Dana White have both publicly suggested a Pimblett vs. Topuria fight makes sense as a next step.