Paddy Pimblett Targets Topuria TUF Season

Paddy Pimblett is angling for a blockbuster coaching role opposite Ilia Topuria on the next season of The Ultimate Fighter. UFC President Dana White has expressed openness to the idea, which Pimblett believes would create must-see television and build serious heat for a future fight. This potential reality TV showdown sits at the heart of the Liverpudlian's ambitious plans as he handles a crowded lightweight title picture.

Pimblett pitched the idea himself, telling media, "I think me and Ilia Topuria would be a brilliant season of The Ultimate Fighter because I’d get under his skin so much." The concept has gained traction, with Dana White acknowledging its potential to create the most-watched season in years. The show, which once launched careers with feuds like Quinton Jackson vs. Rashad Evans, has struggled for relevance recently. A season built on the genuine animosity between the charismatic Brit and the reigning featherweight champion could inject new life into the format.

His roadmap is clear, but it has two distinct forks. The primary goal is a rematch with Justin Gaethje for the undisputed UFC lightweight championship. Gaethje handed Pimblett his sole UFC loss via unanimous decision at UFC 324 in January. "Well, I want to be world champion, so I’d pick Gaethje," Pimblett said. If that title shot isn't immediately available, his focus shifts to settling personal scores. He named Ilia Topuria and Arman Tsarukyan as the two men he must beat first, stating the sentiment toward both is identical. "If no belt was on the line with any of them, I want to beat Ilia Topuria, so I’d pick him," he clarified.

Absolutely. Despite his specific targets, Pimblett maintains he has never turned down a UFC fight. He responded to speculation about Tsarukyan's title credentials by questioning the rankings, then reaffirmed his readiness. "I’ll just fight whoever’s name gets put on a contract to me," Pimblett stated. "If Arman gets offered to me, I’ll fight him. If Ilia gets offered to me, I’ll fight him. If Charles [Oliveira], if Justin, I’ll fight anyone. I don’t care." This come-one-come-all attitude keeps him in the mix while he awaits a clearer path to gold.

Never. This is his one firm line in the sand. The question arose after his undefeated Next Generation MMA Liverpool teammate, George Staines, scored a brutal slam KO on Dana White's Contender Series last month to earn a UFC contract. Pimblett celebrated wildly cageside, and his loyalty is non-negotiable. "No, we'd never fight. Nobody in our gym does that," he said. "We train together every day. More family than teammates." He insisted he would rather vacate a title or move up a weight class than face a close teammate like Staines or Luke Riley.

He returned to winning ways emphatically. At UFC 329 in July, Pimblett submitted the highly-ranked Benoit Saint Denis in just 52 seconds. That swift victory re-established him as a major player at 155 pounds and demonstrated he had moved past the five-round war with Gaethje. It also set the stage for his current campaign, where he is vocal, active, and positioning himself for another run at the top.

• Key Takeaways:
• Pimblett is campaigning to coach against Ilia Topuria on The Ultimate Fighter, with Dana White receptive to the idea.
• His primary goal is a lightweight title rematch with Justin Gaethje, but he has personal feuds with Ilia Topuria and Arman Tsarukyan to settle first.
• He would never fight a teammate like George Staines for a UFC title, preferring to vacate the belt or change weight classes.
• Pimblett returned from his January loss to Gaethje with a 52-second submission win over Benoit Saint Denis in July.