"Paddy, Paddy, Paddy": Ilia Topuria Has A Date and A Rival In Mind For His UFC Return

Ilia Topuria fires up explosive UFC comeback.© NDTV Photo Library

Ilia Topuria has revealed that he plans to return to the UFC in April and wants Paddy Pimblett as his next opponent. The former two-division champion has not fought since losing his lightweight title to Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250 in June. Topuria, 29, is 17-1 after suffering the first defeat of his professional career. Gaethje stopped him on his stool after four rounds at the White House event, taking the undisputed lightweight title. Topuria has called for an immediate rematch, but Gaethje has shown little interest in a second meeting. Dana White has said the UFC is working on Topuria's return but has not confirmed an opponent.

???????????? Ilia Topuria: “I've faced the worst day of my job. What's worse? Dying?” ???? “I've achieved everything, and after this fight, what else? Maybe I'll even retire.” ???? “I'm coming back in April. Paddy, Paddy, Paddy.” https://t.co/pkknTywlEi

— FightLuck (@FightluckBet) November 5, 2026

Topuria drops retirement hint before calling out Pimblett

In a recent interview with ABC, Ilia Topuria said, "I've achieved everything, and after this fight, what else? Maybe I'll even retire." He also suggested, "I'm coming back in April. Paddy, Paddy, Paddy."

Topuria and Pimblett were on course to meet earlier this year, but Gaethje changed the picture. He beat Pimblett for the interim lightweight title at UFC 324 in January, then stopped Topuria in June.

However, Pimblett came back strong in July at UFC 329 by submitting Benoit Saint Denis in 52 seconds. He is 23-4 and has won seven of his last eight UFC fights.

The rivalry between Topuria and Pimblett has been building since their early UFC days. Pimblett has repeatedly mocked Topuria since his title loss, while Topuria has warned the Englishman that he would “eat him like a sausage.”

Dana White backs the Topuria vs. Paddy Pimblett matchup

UFC CEO Dana White has said he likes the idea of Ilia Topuria vs. Paddy Pimblett. He confirmed that Topuria will return in early 2027 but has not officially announced an opponent.

Topuria's April timeline could work well for Pimblett, who has said he does not want to fight immediately after Christmas. The Liverpool fighter would have time to recover, train, and prepare for a five-round contest.

Topuria has said he wants to prove that his loss to Justin Gaethje was an anomaly. He believes a win over Pimblett would put him back in the lightweight title conversation.

Tsarukyan's six-fight streak keeps him in title contention

Arman Tsarukyan remains the leading contender without a booked fight. He is 24-3 and has won six straight bouts, including a submission win over Dan Hooker at UFC Qatar.

If Gaethje faces Alexander Volkanovski next, Tsarukyan could be overlooked again. Volkanovski has called for a champion vs. champion fight with Gaethje, though Gaethje's retirement plans remain unclear.

In case both of these fighters end their careers after this fight. The UFC can arrange another fight between Tsarukyan and the winner of Topuria vs. Pimblett.