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Paddy Pimblett Offers Bold Claim About UFC Future for Ilia Topuria

UFC lightweight contender Ilia Topuria, who entered 2024 with an undefeated 17-0 record and the UFC lightweight title, suffered a stunning upset loss to Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250 in June. The defeat marked his first career loss and forced him to step away from the spotlight for months, with his brother Aleksandre calling off the fight midway through the fifth round.

Now, nearly a year later, Topuria has resumed training and is expected to return to the Octagon in early 2027, though his form and mindset may have shifted after the high-profile setback. Meanwhile, Paddy Pimblett, another top lightweight, has openly questioned whether Topuria will be the same fighter post-loss, citing his own experiences with early-career defeats.

Pimblett, who has faced Topuria in a heated in-cage confrontation, suggested the Georgian’s unbeaten aura could be permanently altered, adding fuel to speculation about a potential rematch between the two in the future.

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