Ilia Topuria Targets Paddy Pimblett April 2027 Return
Ilia Topuria Paddy Pimblett is the fight the former UFC champion wants next. Topuria has set his sights on a showdown with Pimblett as he prepares to return to competition in April 2027, following his defeat to Justin Gaethje.
The Spaniard, widely known as “El Matador”, recently discussed his future in an interview with international media. He described his loss to Gaethje as the worst day of his career, and he admitted it left him questioning whether to fight on at all.
Defeat to Gaethje left retirement on the table
Topuria is a former two-division UFC champion, and the Gaethje defeat was the first real setback of his run at the top. He said the loss left him in the worst situation a fighter can face.
“I’ve been in the worst situation a fighter can be in. I have seen the worst day of my job. What’s worse than that, dying? I’ve achieved everything, and after this fight, what else? Maybe I’ll even retire,” Topuria said.
The remarks show how heavily the defeat weighed on him. Topuria had achieved everything he set out to accomplish, and the loss forced him to ask what was left to fight for.
He has now answered that question. The former champion is considering a return from April 2027, and he has named the opponent he wants.
Ilia Topuria Paddy Pimblett: the rivalry behind the call-out
Topuria and Pimblett have been involved in a bitter rivalry for some time. Tensions between the two escalated after the British fighter made insensitive remarks about Topuria’s home country, Georgia.
That history gives the proposed fight a personal edge beyond the rankings. Topuria was born in Germany to Georgian parents and raised in Spain, and he has spoken before about pride in his Georgian roots. Pimblett’s remarks about Georgia turned a sporting rivalry into a grudge.
Topuria made his feelings clear when he named Pimblett as his target. “From April onwards is when we’re considering the return… Paddy, Paddy, Paddy. I eat him like a sausage, which he is,” he said.
White confirms 2027 return
UFC chief executive Dana White has also confirmed that the promotion is working towards Topuria’s return next year. The confirmation gives the April 2027 date real weight, rather than leaving it as a fighter’s wish.
No opponent has been confirmed by the UFC itself. Topuria’s call-out puts Pimblett at the front of the queue, but the promotion will weigh the bout against other options for both men.
What a Topuria-Pimblett fight would mean
A fight between the two would settle one of the UFC’s longest-running grudges. Topuria brings elite striking and the pedigree of a two-division champion. Pimblett brings a huge following and a grappling-heavy style that has carried him through the lightweight ranks.
For Topuria, the bout offers a clear route back. A win over a popular rival would restore his momentum after the Gaethje defeat and put him back in the title picture. For Pimblett, it would be the biggest test of his career and a chance to beat a former champion.
The April 2027 date gives both camps time to prepare. If the UFC makes the fight, it will be one of the most talked-about bouts of the year.
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Frequently asked questions
When will Ilia Topuria return to the UFC?
Topuria says he is considering a return from April 2027. UFC chief executive Dana White has confirmed the promotion is working towards his return next year.
Who does Topuria want to fight next?
He wants Paddy Pimblett, his long-time rival. He said: “Paddy, Paddy, Paddy. I eat him like a sausage, which he is.”
Why did Topuria consider retirement?
His defeat to Justin Gaethje left him questioning his future. He called it the worst day of his career and said he had achieved everything he set out to accomplish.
What started the rivalry with Pimblett?
Tensions escalated after Pimblett made insensitive remarks about Topuria’s home country, Georgia. The two have been involved in a bitter rivalry since.
Is the Topuria-Pimblett fight confirmed?
No. Topuria has called for the fight and White has confirmed work on his return, but the UFC has not announced an opponent yet.
