Paddy Pimblett Challenged Ilia Topuria to Fight
Paddy Pimblett proposed that both fighters serve as opposing coaches on The Ultimate Fighter to spark a bout.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Mixed Martial Arts
Paddy Pimblett has publicly called for a fight against Ilia Topuria after suggesting the two serve as opposing coaches on The Ultimate Fighter. Pimblett intends to use the platform to taunt Topuria and escalate their long-standing rivalry.
Why it matters
Pimblett believes that a coaching stint on the reality show would amplify the intensity of their match, which he claims would end in a first-round knockout victory.
Pimblett points to McGregor's 13-second knockout of Jose Aldo as a blueprint for his own potential victory, contrasting it with Topuria's recent fourth-round TKO defeat to Justin Gaethje in June 2026.
The players
Paddy Pimblett
He is a professional mixed martial artist currently campaigning for a high-profile fight.
Ilia Topuria
He is a professional mixed martial artist who recently suffered his first career loss.
Conor McGregor
He is a prominent former UFC champion known for his record-setting knockout performance against Jose Aldo.
Justin Gaethje
He is a professional mixed martial arts fighter who defeated Ilia Topuria in their 2026 bout.
UFC
This is the premier global mixed martial arts organization that oversees professional bouts and The Ultimate Fighter.
The details
The fighters have maintained a hostile relationship since a 2022 incident at UFC London, where Pimblett threw a bottle of hand sanitizer at Topuria. While Pimblett is currently without a booked opponent, Topuria remains in active training following his professional loss.
Timeline
The rivalry between the two fighters began in 2022.
Conor McGregor defeated Jose Aldo in December 2015.
Ilia Topuria lost to Justin Gaethje in June 2026.
This report was published on September 30, 2026.
Season Trajectory
Pimblett's proposal to serve as an opposing coach on The Ultimate Fighter follows a historical precedent where heated reality show rivalries often catalyze high-stakes title fights or grudge matches. This strategic call-out attempts to leverage public narrative to force a matchup that would shift the current competitive balance within the division.
A potential booking would represent a high-profile matchup for the UFC's lightweight or featherweight divisions, depending on the agreed-upon weight class. Fans and bettors should note that any confirmation would rely entirely on whether the promotion approves the proposed coaching rivalry for the reality series.
The takeaway
Pimblett is actively using social media and interview platforms to manufacture interest in a specific professional bout. Fighters often utilize public taunting and reality television exposure to increase their leverage when negotiating with organizations for top-tier opponents.
Further reading
For more on the current state of professional fighting, visit the Mixed Martial Arts section.
