Ilia Topuria has become one of the most sought-after fighters in the promotion. After claiming the vacant UFC lightweight title by knocking out Charles Oliveira earlier this year, a wave of contenders is lining up to challenge the undefeated Georgian. Among them, Justin Gaethje and Arman Tsarukyan are strong candidates—but one name has stolen the spotlight—someone who has had a feud with ‘El Matador’ for years.

Paddy Pimblett’s long-standing rivalry with Topuria dates back to his controversial remarks about Georgia years ago. While talks of a clash between the two have circulated for years, their heated face-off at UFC 317 reignited serious buzz around the matchup once again. Although UFC CEO Dana White later dismissed it as “off script,” No. 9-ranked lightweight Beneil Dariush has recently weighed in with his own prediction for how a potential fight between the rivals could unfold.

Paddy The Baddy’s best hope is on the ground against Ilia Topuria

Yesterday, ahead of his fight against Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 322, Dariush appeared in an interview with Denis Shkuratov of Submission Radio, where he suggested that his former teammate, Justin Gaethje, is the most likely candidate to land the next fight with Topuria. However, he also noted that Arman Tsarukyan, who is set to face Dan Hooker in a title eliminator at UFC Qatar on November 22, deserves the opportunity more. 

He was then asked how he saw a matchup between Topuria and Paddy Pimblett playing out if the latter somehow gets it. Dariush didn’t hesitate. The No. 9 lightweight in the UFC admitted he couldn’t see any scenario in which Pimblett defeats the undefeated Georgian. “I honestly can’t see where he would be a threat,” Dariush said confidently.

“In the striking, I think he’s going to be in a lot of danger,” he added. “If he gets a takedown, he’s very good; he’s a very good grappler if he can get a takedown.” However, even then, Dariush wasn’t convinced Pimblett would be able to do much damage. “Do I think he can get a takedown on Ilia?” he asked himself.

“From what I’ve seen and what I’ve heard about Ilia, he has fantastic wrestling, and his takedown defense is world-class,” Dariush concluded during the interview. And he isn’t alone in making such a prediction.

Arman Tsarukyan on Paddy Pimblett vs. ‘El Matador’

Arman Tsarukyan wasn’t in the mood to mince his words when he was asked about a potential fight between Pimblett and Topuria. The 29-year-old made it clear he doesn’t see ‘The Baddy’ standing a chance. Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, Tsarukyan said bluntly, “No. No way,” when asked if Pimblett could beat Topuria.

The Armenian further added that he is the only one in the division who stands the chance of dethroning ‘El Matador.’ “Just [I] can beat Ilia. That’s all for now in our division,” he asserted. “Everybody knows that. Even the UFC knows that. That’s why they are trying to push him [away from me] as much as possible. If I go and perform very well and finish Hooker, they cannot avoid me anymore.”

Ilia Topuria has previously labeled Tsarukyan “unreliable” for pulling out of his fight against Islam Makhachev.

In case Paddy Pimblett somehow lands a fight against Ilia Topuria, he clearly has a lot to prove to his fellow fighters. For now, though, Topuria’s next opponent remains a mystery, with a potential Octagon appearance expected early next year. Do you think Paddy ‘The Baddy’ stands a chance?