Topuria Faces His Gaethje Loss and Names Pimblett

Ilia Topuria has one name on his mind for his comeback: Paddy Pimblett. The former two-division champion also says the loss that sent him away was the worst day of his career.

Paddy, Paddy, Paddy

When Topuria comes back, one name is on his mind: longtime rival Paddy Pimblett. "I'll eat him like a sausage, which he is," Topuria said in the clip.

He gave a rough date too. "From April onward is when we are considering returning," he said. He promises to be better than ever, a version of himself nobody has seen before.

UFC CEO Dana White named early 2027 as the target for his comeback. That was earlier this week, and it is what put Topuria back in front of the media.

Retirement in a single line

Topuria seems at peace with the loss, though he suggests he may even retire after he returns. He has achieved everything, he said, and asked what else is left after this fight.

The source treats retirement as a conversation for later. For now his focus is on the comeback.

The defeat he is talking about

ABC Diario put out a preview clip of an upcoming interview on Thursday. In it Topuria addresses the loss to Justin Gaethje. "I've experienced the worst day of my career," he said, adding that he has been in the worst situation a fighter can be in.

He said he has had to face the question of whether something was off over the last five or six months. His answer is that you win or you lose, and he lost.

The fight was in June, a lightweight title defense in the main event of UFC White House. Topuria was a heavy favorite, and many expected him to move up and challenge Islam Makhachev for the welterweight belt. Gaethje instead stopped him, with the corner ending the fight after the fourth round. Topuria has mostly stayed quiet since.

Source: MMA Fighting