Ilia Topuria Only Needs 1 Round? Is the Fight with Pimblett Worth the Wait?

The UFC lightweight division has seen its fair share of heated rivalries, but few have generated as much controversy and anticipation as Ilia Topuria vs. Paddy Pimblett. With contrasting personalities, fighting styles, and fanbases, the two rising stars seem destined to clash. And now, after months of trash talk and escalating tension, the biggest question surrounding the potential fight is whether it’s even worth the hype anymore—especially if Topuria is right in his bold claim that he only needs one round to finish Pimblett.

So, is this a rivalry worth waiting for, or just another mismatch on paper? Let’s break down the dynamics of this fiery feud.

The Origins of the Topuria vs. Pimblett Beef

The animosity between Ilia Topuria and Paddy Pimblett isn’t new. It dates back to UFC London in 2022 when the two fighters had a backstage confrontation. Topuria, who hails from Spain and Georgia, took offense to Pimblett’s controversial comments about his heritage. The incident nearly escalated into a physical altercation, with security intervening before fists could fly.

Since then, the war of words hasn’t stopped. Topuria has called Pimblett a “clown” and repeatedly accused him of ducking the fight, while Pimblett has dismissed Topuria as “just another name” on his climb toward the lightweight elite.

Fans have taken sides, with European audiences especially invested in the outcome. Spanish and Georgian MMA fans have rallied behind Topuria, while Pimblett’s massive UK fanbase has turned him into one of the sport’s most marketable stars.

Ilia Topuria: A Rapidly Rising Threat

If there’s one thing Ilia Topuria has proven inside the Octagon, it’s that he’s no joke. Undefeated with a record of 16-0, the Spanish-Georgian fighter has finished almost all his opponents, whether through explosive striking or slick submissions.

His recent destruction of Alexander Volkanovski to claim the UFC featherweight title showed the MMA world that Topuria isn’t just a regional prospect—he’s a legitimate superstar in the making. His ferocious hands, aggressive forward pressure, and ironclad confidence have many comparing him to the likes of prime Jose Aldo or even Khabib Nurmagomedov, though stylistically he’s a striking-first fighter.

“I only need one round to finish Paddy Pimblett. He’s not on my level. He never was,” Topuria said in a recent interview, sending a direct message to his rival.

Paddy Pimblett: Popular, But Unproven at the Elite Level?

On the other side of this rivalry is Paddy “The Baddy” Pimblett, arguably one of the most marketable fighters in MMA today. With his distinctive haircut, thick Scouse accent, and wild personality, Pimblett has built a loyal fanbase that packs arenas every time he fights.

However, his performances inside the Octagon have drawn criticism. While he remains undefeated in the UFC, his last few fights—particularly against Jared Gordon—have raised doubts about his ability to compete against top-tier competition. Critics argue that Pimblett’s wild striking, porous defense, and lack of head movement will be exposed when he faces a truly elite fighter.

That’s where Topuria comes in.

The Stylistic Matchup: A Bad Night for Paddy?

On paper, Topuria appears to be a nightmare matchup for Pimblett. Let’s break it down:

• Striking: Topuria’s hands are crisp, powerful, and fast. He has the technical ability to capitalize on the defensive holes Pimblett has shown.

• Grappling: While Pimblett has a slick jiu-jitsu game, Topuria is no slouch on the ground. He’s stuffed takedowns against better wrestlers and has finished opponents with submissions himself.

• Fight IQ: Topuria fights with calculated aggression, whereas Pimblett sometimes lets emotions take over.

Unless Pimblett has drastically improved since his last fight, this could indeed be a short night, just as Topuria predicted.

Is There Even a Point to This Fight Anymore?

Here’s where the debate heats up.

Some argue that this fight no longer makes sense. Topuria is now a UFC world champion, while Pimblett is still working his way through the lightweight mid-tier. Rankings-wise, they’re in different galaxies.

Why would Topuria risk a meaningless grudge match when he has top contenders like Max Holloway, Brian Ortega, or Movsar Evloev gunning for his title?

On the other hand, from a business perspective, the fight prints money. UFC President Dana White has never been shy about booking personal rivalries when the timing is right, even if they don’t make perfect sense in the rankings. The trash talk, the history, and the Europe vs. Europe angle make it a potential stadium-filling event.

Plus, it’s personal. Fighters like Topuria sometimes want to settle scores just as much as they want to defend belts.

Pimblett’s Perspective: The Fight of His Life

For Paddy Pimblett, this fight represents a crossroads. Beating Ilia Topuria would instantly erase doubts about his level and silence critics who accuse him of avoiding tough matchups. It would catapult him into the title conversation and shift his image from entertainer to elite fighter.

But losing in devastating fashion—as Topuria predicts—would expose the limitations of Pimblett’s game and possibly halt his hype train altogether.

The risk is enormous, but so is the reward.

Fan Reactions: Split Down the Middle

The MMA fanbase is divided. Some see this fight as a no-brainer entertainment spectacle, while others view it as a pointless mismatch.

On social media, one fan tweeted:

“Pimblett talks a big game, but Ilia would fold him like a lawn chair. First-round KO incoming.”

Another countered:

“Topuria should be defending his title, not fighting Paddy. This rivalry is fun, but let’s be real—it’s a money grab.”

What’s Dana White Thinking?

So far, Dana White hasn’t committed either way. When asked about the fight at a recent press conference, White smirked and said:

“We’ll see. If the fans want it, we’ll figure it out.”

That sounds like a man who knows this matchup could headline a European pay-per-view, regardless of what the rankings say.

Will It Actually Happen?

Timing is everything. Right now, Topuria is recovering from his title win and waiting on the next featherweight challenger. Pimblett is looking to climb the lightweight ranks.

If the UFC wanted to make this happen, they could do it in early 2026. But if Topuria is serious about defending his belt and moving up the pound-for-pound rankings, he may not want to wait around.

More likely, this is a fight the UFC will keep in their back pocket—perhaps as a European mega-event in Spain or the UK when both fighters’ schedules align.

The Bottom Line: Is It Worth the Wait?

The short answer? Yes, but only for the drama—not the competition.

If you’re a purist who only cares about elite-level matchups, you’ll argue that Topuria should move past Pimblett and focus on defending his belt against top contenders.

But if you love rivalries, trash talk, and the chaos that makes MMA great, this is a must-watch fight—no matter how short it lasts.

Final Prediction: One Round? Probably. Worth It? Absolutely.

Topuria’s confidence isn’t just bravado. His skills and mindset back it up. If this fight happens, few would be shocked if Topuria finishes Pimblett inside the first round, just as he promised. But that doesn’t mean the spectacle won’t be worth the wait.

In combat sports, sometimes the storylines are as important as the results. And in the saga of Topuria vs. Pimblett, the story might be even better than the fight itself.