Ilia Topuria wasted no time weighing in on the fallout from UFC 324. He took aim at Paddy Pimblett, with whom he has a personal gripe, before turning his attention to Justin Gaethje.
Gaethje earned a unanimous decision victory over Pimblett in the main event of UFC 324 last Saturday. The bout delivered a thrilling, closely contested five-round main event. With the win, ‘The Highlight’ captured the interim UFC lightweight championship and will face Topuria in a title unification bout.
Topuria blasted Pimblett for squandering a career-defining opportunity and payday. The reigning lightweight champion then congratulated Gaethje on his victory but issued a warning for what lies ahead.
“Little sausage [Pimblett], the only thing you had to do was beat a 38 year old guy. You just lost the biggest paycheck of your life. You were going to get rich if you won,” Topuria wrote on X. “Justin, all I can say is congratulations…and I’d like to tell you to get ready, but you’re screwed no matter what.”
Before the fight, Topuria revealed that he expects to return to the octagon between April and June. The timing is significant, as it aligns with the UFC’s upcoming White House event, scheduled for June.
Given that Gaethje is an American and highly popular, a title unification bout at the White House could be a reality.
Justin Gaethje Eager to Face Ilia Topuria
Justin Gaethje also spoke about a potential matchup with Ilia Topuria. His win over Pimblett all but confirms that he will face Topuria next in a title unification bout.
The matchup will mark Gaethje’s third attempt at undisputed UFC gold. He hopes that the third time will be a charm, especially while riding the momentum of his win over Pimblett. ‘The Highlight’ showed that he is still capable of absorbing damage and maintain his pace across five rounds.
During the UFC 324 post-fight press conference, Gaethje said he is eager to fight Topuria. He added that he plans to do so unless ‘El Matador’s return is delayed.
“Can’t wait. That’s what I got here for,” Gaethje said. “That’s what we do. And of course, that’s what I believe the next fight is unless [Topuria’s] not back.”
Gaethje Wants to Fight Topuria at UFC’s White House Event
Gaethje also expressed his desire to face Topuria at the UFC’s White House event in June. He believes the event is fitting for a title fight of that magnitude, especially taking their respective fighting styles into account.
Speaking with reporters, Gaethje admitted that he lacks an eccentric personality. Even so, he believes the matchup with Topuria sells itself.
“If I had any bit of a personality, it’d be [expletive] huge,” Gaethje said during the UFC 324 post-fight press conference. “I just can’t lie, I can’t exaggerate, you know? It’s what I do, it’s who I am, it’s who my parents taught me to be.”
Gaethje noted that a lightweight title unification bout with Topuria makes sense. However, he made it clear that he wants to be featured at the White House event.
“There’s no doubt it would be one of the best fights that [the UFC] could definitely put on. It’ll be for an undisputed belt,” Gaethje said. “I think they want to have six or seven, whatever. They want to have as many [title fights] as possible.”
Ilia Topuria Reacts After Justin Gaethje’s UFC 324 Win, Blasts Paddy Pimblett