Dana White likes The Ultimate Fighter’s Paddy Pimblett vs. Ilia Topuria’s idea for the season.
“I mean, I like the idea,” White said. “But a lot of things determine how things go. Not just TUF, but certain fights and title fights, we’ll see how the timing works out.”
In a fair and just world, the first place candidate is Arman Tsarukyan would fight Gaethje for the next title. But multiple reports have the UFC weighing in instant replay between Gaethje and Topuria, based largely on a) the first fight being the biggest fight of the year b) how awesome it would be to see a second fight.
When the UFC goes to Arman vs. Justin, a season of The Ultimate Fighter might just be what Paddy and Ilia have to deal with in the meantime. But would the UFC be willing to pay to make it happen?
There’s a reason Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier retired from coaching a strange Russian TUF clone not the actual Ultimate Fighter. The UFC has never been ready for this splash TUF coaches with cash compensate them for their time and the value they bring to programming.
So if you’re hoping the UFC doesn’t force Pimblett Vs. With several months to wait for Topuria’s TUF season, the campaign’s spear-throwing behavior may work in your favor this time around.
