Dana White and Co. still do not have an opponent for Ilia Topuria. At least that is what it seems from the UFC CEO’s comments at the UFC 314 post-fight presser, where he was asked what was next for ‘La Leyenda’. This last PPV event, UFC 314, was significant for Topuria who vacated his belt in search of lightweight gold. Now it looks like the road ahead is long and winding for the former featherweight champion as giving him a fight doesn’t seem to be on top of Dana White’s list.

“We’re working on it. We got a lot of s–t to do. Yes, you know, obviously he is one of the biggest star in the company. If we had something planned, we would have announced it already,” the UFC CEO said.

Topuria, of course, has claimed that he was promised a lightweight title shot straightaway after moving up. But champion Islam Makhachev has been pouring cold water on those plans by refusing to fight him. And the UFC has been scrambling to secure another opponent for the former featherweight champ. However, the developments at UFC 314 may just have given the promotion a lifeline.

Paddy ‘The Baddy’ Pimblett proved he is the real deal in his dominant victory over Michael Chandler, which has opened the door for the Englishman to fight the top guys in the division. And one of those top guys in the division, of course, is Ilia Topuria, even if he is unranked at 155 at the moment.

“As I say, I literally forgot all about him. That’s how relevant he is, I’m ranked higher than he is at lightweight. So, you know, I’d love to welcome him to 155, but apparently he’s sitting out and waiting for the title shot. But you know… he’s [Topuria’s] even more of a midget than Chandler is. I’ll do the exact same thing to Ilia that I did to Chandler,” Pimblett said when asked what he thought of a clash with ‘La Leyenda’. But Topuria isn’t the only one who Pimblett is interested in.

Paddy Pimblett wants to prove he’s the best grappler at lightweight

Yes, Paddy Pimblett beat Michael Chandler and the way he beat him was very impressive. Before this fight, the Englishman was ranked #12 in the division and not as highly rated by fans. But with him utterly dominating two out of the three rounds against ‘Iron’ Mike before a beatdown TKO victory, there is no doubt in anyone’s mind—Pimblett is among the new generation of lightweight stars in the current MMA landscape. ‘The Baddy’ is determined to keep proving himself, and called out the most challenging matchups in the division.

“Charles is the biggest legend out of them all, and he gets called the best submission artist the UFC has ever seen. Well I dispute that. I’m here. So me versus Charles,” Pimblett told Joe Rogan in the post-fight octagon interview.

At the post-fight presser, the Englishman also talked about wanting to fight Justin Gaethje, and Arman Tsarukyan before he was reminded about Topuria. And with this call-out of ‘La Leyenda’, Pimblett has given Dana White a pretty good option for Ilia Topuria’s return to lightweight (the Spanish-Georgian has fought Jai Herbert at 155 before). What do you think about Paddy Pimblett calling out Ilia Topuria? Do you think this fight will happen? If so, who will win? Let us know below.

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