Paddy Pimblett believes his bitter rivalry with Ilia Topuria could give The Ultimate Fighter exactly what it needs. He wants six weeks opposite Topuria before finally settling their feud inside the Octagon.The Paddy Pimblett Ilia Topuria TUF idea has now become a serious talking point. Pimblett believes their personalities could restore interest in the long-running UFC reality show, while Dana White has already reacted positively to the proposal.
Paddy Pimblett Wants Six Weeks With Ilia Topuria
Paddy Pimblett 24-4-0 has openly pushed to coach a season of The Ultimate Fighter opposite Topuria. He previously considered Renato Moicano as a potential rival coach, but his priorities have changed.
Pimblett believes six weeks around Topuria would give him plenty of opportunities to get inside his rival’s head. He said Topuria would constantly feel uncomfortable around him, turning their existing feud into the central storyline of the season.
Pimblett Believes They Could Bring TUF Ratings Back
Pimblett did not simply argue that he and Topuria would make entertaining coaches. He believes their rivalry could restore the level of attention The Ultimate Fighter enjoyed during some of its biggest seasons.
He specifically compared the potential pairing with Season 10, which featured Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Rashad Evans as opposing coaches. That season also featured Kimbo Slice and became one of the show’s most memorable editions. Pimblett believes two active contenders with a genuine rivalry could create similar interest.
Dana White Likes the Pimblett vs Topuria TUF Idea
Dana White has already been asked about placing Pimblett and Topuria opposite each other on TUF. He responded positively, saying he loved the idea, although he stopped well short of confirming it.
White explained that several factors would determine whether the plan works. Timing, title fights and UFC matchmaking all remain important. That means the proposal has caught the UFC’s attention, but no coaching agreement or fight has been announced.
Pimblett and Topuria Have Feuded for Years
Ilia Topuria 17-1-0 and Pimblett have traded insults for years. Their rivalry previously struggled to produce an actual fight because their careers developed in different divisions.
Topuria spent years building his career at featherweight before eventually moving to lightweight. That change removed one of the biggest obstacles to finally booking the matchup. Pimblett has also continued climbing at 155 pounds, making their long-running feud much more relevant to the division.
The hostility has included confrontations away from the Octagon and repeated public exchanges. Their history is one reason a TUF season could offer more than a manufactured coaching rivalry.
Their Lightweight Careers Have Finally Put Them Together
Topuria’s move to lightweight dramatically changed the situation. He captured the vacant championship against Charles Oliveira before later losing the belt to Justin Gaethje.
Pimblett also experienced a setback before quickly rebuilding his momentum. He submitted Benoit Saint Denis in only 52 seconds at UFC 329, putting himself back into the conversation around the division’s biggest fights.
Their positions now make a fight far more realistic. Pimblett has already identified Topuria as one of the opponents he wants next, while the latest Ilia Topuria next fight discussion continues following his first professional defeat.
Pimblett Thinks He Can Break Topuria Mentally
Pimblett sees the coaching format as more than a promotional opportunity. He believes spending weeks around Topuria would allow him to apply psychological pressure before they ever enter the cage.
That confidence has appeared repeatedly in his recent comments. Pimblett has even predicted he could finish Topuria as quickly as Conor McGregor stopped Jose Aldo. His TUF proposal would give him weeks to build that storyline before fight night.
Topuria has built his reputation around confidence of his own. That contrast could make the coaching dynamic particularly volatile if the UFC moves forward with the idea.
The Lightweight Title Picture Could Decide Whether TUF Happens
The biggest complication remains the championship picture. Justin Gaethje currently holds the lightweight title, while several leading contenders want the next opportunity.
Arman Tsarukyan strengthened his case by stopping Mauricio Ruffy at UFC 331. Pimblett has also developed a personal rivalry with Tsarukyan, creating another possible direction for his next fight.
Topuria continues pushing toward another championship opportunity as well. However, Gaethje has shown little enthusiasm for an immediate Ilia Topuria rematch.
If another contender receives the title shot, matching Pimblett and Topuria becomes easier. A TUF season could then build directly toward one of the biggest non-title fights available at lightweight.
A Topuria Fight Could Be Bigger Than Another Immediate Title Push
Pimblett still wants UFC gold, but his rivalry with Topuria offers something different. It combines a meaningful lightweight matchup with years of personal history.
His UFC title chances remain tied to a crowded division. Fighting Topuria could strengthen his position while settling the feud that has followed both men for years.
For Topuria, beating Pimblett would also help rebuild momentum after losing his championship. That gives both fighters a competitive reason to accept the matchup beyond the attention surrounding their rivalry.
Final Thoughts
The Paddy Pimblett Ilia Topuria TUF proposal has the ingredients the show traditionally used best. Both men are active contenders, their dislike predates the idea, and a lightweight fight could follow the season naturally.
Pimblett believes they could bring the ratings back, while White has already admitted he likes the concept. Nothing is official yet, and the lightweight title picture could still change everything. However, a Pimblett-Topuria coaching season now looks like much more than a random suggestion.
FAQs
Does Paddy Pimblett want to coach TUF against Ilia Topuria?
Yes. Pimblett has publicly proposed coaching The Ultimate Fighter opposite his longtime rival.
What did Paddy Pimblett say about TUF ratings?
He believes a season featuring himself and Topuria could bring ratings back to the show.
Has Dana White approved Pimblett vs Topuria on TUF?
No. White said he likes the idea, but the UFC has not officially announced the coaches.
Would Paddy Pimblett and Ilia Topuria fight after TUF?
That is Pimblett’s proposed outcome, but the UFC has not officially booked their fight.
Why has Pimblett vs Topuria not happened before?
They previously competed on different paths, with Topuria focused on featherweight while Pimblett developed at lightweight.
