MMA
Ilia Topuria should face Paddy Pimblett next, says former UFC champion
Published
1 month agoon
iliatopuria on InstagramFormer UFC champion Belal Muhammad believes Ilia Topuria should face Paddy Pimblett when he returns to the cage.
After losing the UFC lightweight championship, Ilia Topuria is in a difficult position. While it seems like he is set for an immediate rematch against Justin Gaethje (if reports are to be believed), a lot of people feel like that isn't the best move for him so soon after dropping the belt.
RELATED: Dana White claims Ilia Topuria is ‘ready' to fight after UFC Freedom 250 defeat
Another option, of course, is Ilia Topuria vs Paddy Pimblett. There's been bad blood between these two rivals for a long time now, and it makes sense that we finally get to see them blow off their feud in the Octagon.
In a recent video, Belal Muhammad weighed in on the Ilia Topuria situation.
Muhammad on Ilia Topuria's next fight
“What do I think about it? I don't think Topuria deserves it,†Muhammad said on his YouTube channel. “It was a great fight, but he made you quit. He broke him and it was a clear decision. It wasn't like a split decision, came down to the wire. He got him, he won, he finished him. For Topuria, he's coming back, he's already talking and saying that this is going to make him better, this is going to change him. So let's get you another fight.â€
“Paddy Pimblett's right there. I think the Paddy Pimblett fight makes the most sense, but I'm sure he's still recovering himself,†Muhammad said. “Two broken orbitals, I don't know what else he had. I know he's a big name, but for Justin, I don't see Justin taking that rematch. He already said he's not taking that rematch. If I'm Justin, maybe I try to get the Max Holloway fight again.â€
Quotes via MMA Junkie
Do you agree? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, BJPENN Nation!
This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM
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MMA
UFC 333 prop odds: Krylov-Yakhyaev favored for fastest finish
Published
2 hours agoon
October 22, 2026
At the UFC 333 press conference, the top four fighters in Saturday's event will answer questions from the media Thursday morning.
In the main event, UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski faces Movsar Evloev. UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan squares off against Merab Dvalishvili in the co-main event.
The UFC 333 press conference is expected to begin at 9 a.m. ET.
MMA
TJ Dillashaw predicts Petr Yan vs Merab Dvalishvili trilogy at UFC 333
Published
15 hours agoon
October 22, 2026
Zuffa LLCFormer UFC champion TJ Dillashaw has given his thoughts on the trilogy fight between Petr Yan and Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 333.
On Saturday night, Petr Yan will put his UFC bantamweight championship on the line when he goes up against Merab Dvalishvili, the same man he beat for the belt last year, in the third and potentially final fight in their series.
RELATED: Sean O'Malley sends Petr Yan a cold message ahead of UFC 333 trilogy fight
Dvalishvili won the first bout before Petr Yan came back and improved dramatically to win the rematch. At this point, it's hard to say which way it's going to swing given how talented both fighters are.
In a recent interview, however, TJ Dillashaw had some interesting views on Petr Yan vs Merab Dvalishvili 3.
TJ Dillashaw on Petr Yan vs Merab Dvalishvili 3
“I just think that Yan really had the answers. Yan looked fantastic. Takedown defense was amazing and a guy that fights like Merab, looking for those takedowns, that's his path to victory just relentlessly grinding and getting those takedowns. If he can't get you down and it's failed shot after failed shot, then his gas tank is never going to be as good as the guy defending shots, even if you are the more in-shape fighter. We'll see if four fights in one year had a factor, but I think Yan just has the game plan and looked really good.â€
“I am leaning towards Yan. Tough fight. It really is. I think he had all the answers, and that confidence builds. He's had some losses, but those losses were (weird). His losses are minuscule losses, and then that last fight, I think just builds so much confidence that he has what it takes. The answer for Merab, the cardio for Merab. I'm leaning towards Yan, but I think it's going to be a banger of a fight again. Merab is never going to stop and you have to beat the bricks off him to win.â€
Quotes via MMA Junkie
Who are you backing to leave UFC 333 with the title? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, BJPENN Nation!
This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM
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