Former 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.
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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.”
“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.”
Quotes via MMA Junkie
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