Ilia Topuria: "Why don't you take an easy fight?" - Paddy Pimblett accuses Ilia Topuria of stalling UFC title fight negotiations

Paddy Pimblett believes the ball is in Ilia Topuria’s court and accused the champion of hesitating to make their lightweight title clash official. The Liverpool native says Topuria has already received a bout agreement but has yet to sign.

Pimblett has been calling for this matchup since his in-cage faceoff with Topuria after the Spaniard’s knockout win against Charles Oliveira at UFC 317 in June. Both men appeared eager then, but according to Pimblett, the enthusiasm has cooled down on Topuria’s side.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Pimblett said:

"Just want to get a fight signed, man. All Ilia has done is talk sh*t about me, saying I'm sh*t, saying I don't deserve to fight him. After his last fight, we got in the cage and he pushed me."

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He added:

"I think it's happening, and now he's stalling. He's not saying yes to the fight. He's stalling. If I'm that sh*t, lad, why don't you take an easy fight and just beat me then? Step up. As [Mike] Tyson said, 'Sign the contract, big boy.'"

Check out Paddy Pimblett's comments below (6:50):

UFC CEO Dana White recently said the division remains open, with no title defense confirmed yet. The 29-year-old Liverpudlian insists he’s ready to go and has continued training with the expectation of a title shot.

He hasn’t fought since April at UFC 314, where he stopped Michael Chandler in the second round. Pimblett and Topuria have a history that stretches back to a heated altercation in a London hotel in 2022.

Paddy Pimblett claims he will "smash" Ilia Topuria in potential fight

Paddy Pimblett is confident about beating Ilia Topuria wherever the fight takes place.

While Arman Tsarukyan and Justin Gaethje remain in contention, Topuria’s post-fight faceoff with Pimblett hinted at the UFC’s preferred matchup. Pimblett, unbeaten in seven UFC appearances, continues to press for his shot after wins over Michael Chandler, King Green, and Tony Ferguson.

Speaking to James Sweetnam, 'The Baddy' said:

“[I’ll] absolutely smash his face in for him. I can see me beating him anywhere the fight goes, to be honest. People have put him on a pedestal now, they think he’s this big amazing thing. I’ll bring him crashing back down to the earth in a big way.”