Paddy Pimblett says he does not believe Ilia Topuria will ever come back the same fighter after his UFC Freedom 250 loss to Justin Gaethje, arguing that Topuria’s entire identity was built on invincibility and that nobody can prepare for what he just experienced.
Pimblett spoke to Demetrious Johnson following Topuria’s corner stoppage at the White House.
It’s just Gaethje gets you into that dog fight, drags you into it, you know what I mean? And Ilia’s never had that. Ilia’s never had to come back from adversity. Ilia’s only ever been the hammer. He’s never been the nail. That’s why after that fight with Justin that I had, I knew I could come back stronger and better because I’ve done it before. I don’t think Ilia Topuria ever comes back the same. His whole mantra, his whole ego, is like, ‘I’m undefeated. No one can beat me,’ having celebrations the night before the fight. I just don’t think he’ll ever be the same.
Pimblett also volunteered himself as Topuria’s first opponent back.
Nothing can prepare you for it. That’s the thing, and that’s why I don’t think he’ll ever come back the same. He’s going to have to look at himself in the mirror and be like, ‘What? I’ve just got my head smashed in. I need to come back.’ He might not have the cojones to do it. I’d happily be his first fight back.
Pimblett lost his own interim lightweight title fight to Gaethje at UFC 324 in January. He faces Benoit Saint Denis in the UFC 329 co-main event on July 11 in Las Vegas.
