Ultimate Fighting Championship two-division title holder.
Pimblett predicts it will be difficult for Topuria to regain his former form after his first professional defeat. The Englishman says the losses early in his own career strengthened him mentally, while “El Matador” will have to go through that experience at his prime on the sport’s biggest stage.
Paddy Pimblett doubts Ilia Topuria will recover mentally from his first MMA loss 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 long-time rival of the Georgian-Spanish fighter, believes his loss in the White House will have a lasting effect on him.
Speaking to All Out Fighting magazine, the first
Cage Warriors the champion acknowledged Topuria’s skills but claimed to defeat 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 tall for him, and I’ll show him that when I beat him. A bit of damaged goods. You know, he’s never been gone before, so I don’t think he’ll ever be the same when he comes back.”
Pimblett then reflected on the mental toll of his losses and defeat.
“I lost my first fight when I was 18 and had to rebuild and then do it again when I was 22-23,” added Pimblett. “He’s never lost before and he’s like 27 or something. So his whole aura was unbeatable and this and that. Now he’s beaten; it’s in his head and I’ll prove it when I fight him next.”
