Fight by July or lose title – Pimblett on Topuria

If Ilia Topuria doesn’t play again in action by July, Paddy Pimblett claims that the UFC should fire him for it.

Topuria will miss the next two seasons of the sport because of his personal problems following his divorce, and Pimblett and Justin Gaethje will compete in his place on Saturday in Las Vegas.

Tom Aspinall waited 19 months to become the interim heavyweight champion after Jon Jones attempted to retire last year, but Pimblett said he wouldn’t be in the same boat as his fellow Briton if he were to win.

I believe I will become undisputed if Ilia doesn’t return by June-July.

In a perfect world, I would defeat Justin. Then, after winning Ilia over the undisputed title, I had to defend it against someone at the end of the year.

Topuria stated on social media this week that he intends to contest Gaethje v. Pimblett in April or June.

With neither he nor Gaethje in the top three lightweight rankings, Pimblett was a surprise choice for a title fight.

Pimblett, 31, refrained from criticizing Arman Tsarukyan or those in his ascendancy, like Charles Oliveria and Max Holloway, for giving him the go-ahead.

Given the circumstances, he said, “It makes sense.”

We can’t keep the division together because we don’t know when Topuria will return. interim belts have been produced for less money.

They are aware of our notoriety. We are going to entertain for however long we can last.

Although few people had predicted the former Cage Warriors champion as a potential title contender when he joined the promotion in 2021, Pimblett has continued to rise steadily throughout the UFC.

Pimblett now has a chance to become Liverpool’s first UFC champion after defeating every opponent the UFC has presented to him and establishing a sizable fan base along the way.

Only three UK fighters have ever won a UFC belt, aside from Aspinall, Michael Bisping, and Leon Edwards.

According to Pimblett, “I don’t see Justin moving past the third round.”