Paddy
Pimblett believes Ilia
Topuria’s loss to Justin
Gaethje will have a lasting impact on the former
Ultimate Fighting Championship two-division titleholder.
Pimblett predicts Topuria will struggle to regain his previous form
after his first professional defeat. The Englishman says losses
early in his own career strengthened him mentally, while “El
Matador” must navigate that experience in his prime on the sport’s
biggest stage.
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Paddy Pimblett doubts Ilia Topuria will recover mentally from
first MMA defeat to Justin Gaethje
Topuria lost the lightweight championship to Gaethje at
UFC Freedom 250 in June when his corner stopped the bout after
four rounds. Pimblett, a longtime rival of the Georgian-Spanish
fighter, believes the defeat at the White House will permanently
affect him.
Speaking to All Out Fighting, the former
Cage Warriors champion acknowledged Topuria’s skills but
maintained that he would beat him.
“I respect him; he’s a very good fighter, but he’s never fought
anyone like me,” Pimblett said. “I’m too big and too long for him,
and I’ll show him that when I beat him up. A little bit of damaged
goods. You know, he’s never lost before, so I don’t think he’ll
ever be the same when he comes back.”
Pimblett then reflected on his own losses and the mental toll of
defeat.
“I lost my first fight when I was 18, and I had to build myself
back up, and then I had to do it again when I was 22, 23,” Pimblett
added. “He’s never lost before, and he’s about 27 or something. So,
his whole aura was unbeatable and this and that. Now he’s been
beat; that’s in his head, and I’ll prove that if I end up fighting
him next.”