Paddy Pimblett Targets Topuria Fight and Faces Fine

Paddy Pimblett is back in the lightweight title conversation and staring down a potential fine. The Liverpool fighter re-established himself as a top contender with a blistering 52-second submission of Benoit Saint Denis at UFC 329 in June. Now, he's calling for a fight with rival Ilia Topuria and must answer to the Nevada State Athletic Commission for jumping the cage after his win.

Will Paddy Pimblett finally fight Ilia Topuria?

Pimblett has made no secret of his desire to face Ilia Topuria. The long-simmering beef could finally reach a boiling point now that both are contenders without a belt. Topuria lost his lightweight title to Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250 in June, the same event where Gaethje had previously beaten Pimblett for an interim strap. "I'd love to smash his head in, lad, but we need to wait and see," Pimblett told Eze Obas. He acknowledged that UFC commentator Jon Anik has mentioned internal talks of a Gaethje-Topuria rematch, leaving his own path unclear. For Pimblett, the motivation is personal. "I think he's a little helmet," he said on the Green Light podcast. "I'd love to fight him and give him sh*t."

Who else is on Pimblett's hit list?

If the Topuria fight doesn't materialize, Pimblett sees a crowded field of elite options. He named a group of potential opponents that includes the current champion, Justin Gaethje, and other high-ranked fighters. "Arman, Gaethje, Ruffy, Charles (Oliveira), there’s loads of names," Pimblett said. His feelings toward them vary wildly. He respects veterans like Max Holloway and Charles Oliveira, but has pure disdain for Arman Tsarukyan. "Arman Tsarukyan, I've got no respect for at all," Pimblett stated. "He's just rich kid whose daddy's a millionaire. He's sitting there eating $2,000 caviar for breakfast." Tsarukyan is booked to fight Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331 on September 19, a result that could shuffle the contender deck. Pimblett hopes to fight again in December, a timeline that fits with the UFC's schedule you can track on our [fixtures](/fixtures) page.

Why is Pimblett facing a fine from the NSAC?

The celebration of his quick win at UFC 329 in Las Vegas has landed Pimblett in hot water. He was seen jumping out of the octagon to celebrate with his team before officially getting his hand raised. The Nevada State Athletic Commission has scheduled a disciplinary hearing for Wednesday, where Pimblett, along with Max Holloway and Gable Steveson, could have a portion of their fight purses withheld. His manager, Graham Boylan, has publicly criticized the rule. "For the record, this rule needs to be changed," Boylan told MMA Junkie. "It’s 2026. Apply a little common sense." The precedent suggests the fine could be significant; two years ago, Diego Lopes had $5,000 withheld from a $100,000 purse for a similar infraction.

Does Molly McCann think Pimblett will win UFC gold?

His longtime friend and training partner, Molly McCann, is betting on a huge 2027 for them both. McCann, who has retired from MMA and is now 5-0 in professional boxing, believes they will become world champions in their respective sports next year. "I texted him after Gaethje and said ‘2027 me and you will both be world champions again’," McCann told Bloody Elbow. Both previously held Cage Warriors championships early in their careers. McCann fights this weekend on the undercard of Katie Taylor's sold-out show at Croke Park in Dublin.

• Pimblett submitted Benoit Saint Denis in just 52 seconds at UFC 329 in June.
• He is scheduled for an NSAC hearing over his post-fight cage jump, which could result in a fine.
• Pimblett is targeting a return fight in December, with Ilia Topuria at the top of his wish list.
• His friend Molly McCann predicts both will become world champions in 2027.