Ilia Topuria makes dig at beaten Paddy Pimblett as UFC grudge match slips away

Ilia Topuria has fired shots at Paddy Pimblett after “The Baddy” failed in his pursuit of interim lightweight gold in the main event of UFC 324, scuppering a grudge match between the rivals.

Liverpudlian Pimblett, 31, was beaten in a five-round war with Justin Gaethje, who emerged victorious with scores of 48-47, 49-46 and 49-46 at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena.

Coming up short in his first title shot, defeat for Pimblett also means that a long-awaited blow-off bout with reigning lightweight king Topuria is all but off the cards, with Gaethje now next in line to unify the belts.

And “El Matador”, with whom Pimblett told The Independent he shares a mutual hatred, has rubbed salt in the wounds of the fallen challenger, emphasising the opportunity and payday Pimblett has just missed out on.

Topuria took to X and wrote: “Little sausage, the only thing you had to do was beat a 38-year-old guy. You just lost the biggest paycheck of your life. You were going to get rich if you won.”

The Georgian-Spaniard, who is a two-weight champion in the UFC having previously conquered featherweight, then turned his attention to American Gaethje, offering his congratulations before issuing a stern warning to the 38-year-old.

“Justin, all I can say is congratulations… and I’d like to tell you to get ready, but you’re screwed no matter what,” Topuria added.

Topuria has become something of a legend killer in the UFC, knocking out Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway during his time at featherweight’s pinnacle before sleeping Charles Oliveira to claim lightweight gold at the beginning of 2025.

Gaethje will hope to avoid being next on Topuria’s tear as he bids to finally become undisputed champion in what looks to be his UFC swan song.

Pimblett, meanwhile, pledged in his post-fight interview that “you haven’t seen the last of me” and will now seek to work his way back into the title picture after suffering his first loss in the UFC.