Ilia Topuria could pass on a proposed grudge match with Paddy Pimblett after the Georgian-Spanish lightweight’s tough defeat to Justin Gaethje and Pimblett’s dominant UFC 329 performance.

What happened at UFC 329?

Paddy Pimblett headlined UFC 329 on 11 July 2026 in Las Vegas, submitting Benoit Saint-Denis with a choke in 52 seconds. The win marked Pimblett’s return after six months off following his first Octagon loss to Justin Gaethje in January 2026. The Scouser’s explosive finish sent the crowd into a frenzy and set the stage for his next challenge.

Michael Bisping suggested on his YouTube channel that Topuria may now want no part of Pimblett. “Paddy looked absolutely gigantic,” Bisping said. “After just doing what he did to Benoit Saint-Denis, I don’t know if Ilia would want that fight.” Bisping added that a Topuria vs. Pimblett grudge match would still be “absolutely gigantic.”

Why it matters for Ilia Topuria

Topuria lost by brutal third-round knockout to Gaethje on 18 June 2026 at UFC Paris. The defeat left the Georgian-Spanish champion needing time away from the Octagon to regroup. With Pimblett now ranked No. 5 in the UFC lightweight division, the path to a Topuria rematch looks less certain.

Topuria remains one of the key figures chasing the lightweight title alongside Charles Oliveira, Islam Makhachev, Arman Tsarukyan and Max Holloway. Pimblett has called out all of them since beating Oliveira in October 2025. Fans have pushed hardest for a Topuria vs. Pimblett showdown, but Bisping now questions whether Topuria will accept.

What comes next?

Topuria is expected to take a break before returning to competition. His next fight remains unclear, and a Pimblett matchup may not be in the cards if Topuria stays cautious. Pimblett, meanwhile, is positioned for a high-profile clash, with Oliveira and Makhachev still in play.

Pimblett’s camp has not formally requested a Topuria fight. For now, the lightweight division’s next chapter hinges on Topuria’s recovery and Pimblett’s next move. A grudge match would headline a future pay-per-view, but only if both men agree.