Paddy Pimblett calls Ilia Topuria ‘damaged goods’ after Justin Gaethje loss

Paddy Pimblett has labelled longtime rival Ilia Topuria as damaged goods following Topuria's first professional defeat against Justin Gaethje. Topuria lost his lightweight championship at UFC Freedom 250 in June after his corner stopped the bout following four rounds. Pimblett stated that suffering a first career loss in his prime will have a lasting psychological impact on the former two-division titleholder.

Speaking to All Out Fighting, Pimblett expressed confidence that Topuria will struggle to regain his previous form. Pimblett argued that his own early career losses helped strengthen his mentality, whereas Topuria's previously perceived aura of invincibility has been broken. Pimblett also claimed his size and reach would give him an advantage if the two fighters meet in the Octagon.