Ilia Topuria commented on Justin Gaethje‘s interim lightweight title win over Paddy Pimblett at UFC 324, criticizing Pimblett and warning Gaethje ahead of a potential unification bout, while reflecting on his own championship status and personal challenges.
Ilia Topuria had quite a bit to say after UFC 324’s main event.
Justin Gaethje snagged the interim lightweight title with a dominant victory over Paddy Pimblett. This win, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, sets the stage for a potential showdown with Topuria later this year.
Topuria was a major talking point leading into the first event of the Paramount era. After Gaethje’s win, “El Matador” shared his thoughts on Pimblett’s performance, throwing in a message for Gaethje too.
“Little sausage, all you had to do was beat a 38-year-old guy,” Topuria quipped on Twitter. “You just lost the biggest paycheck of your life. Winning would’ve made you rich.”
To Gaethje, he said, “Congrats… but get ready, ’cause you’re screwed no matter what.”
Topuria clinched the lightweight championship in June with a stunning first-round KO of Charles Oliveira at UFC 317. Afterward, he took a break due to a separation from his wife, prompting the UFC to organize the interim title fight.
Now, the two-division champ hints at a comeback in April. Meanwhile, Gaethje eyes a spot on the UFC White House card in June.