Outside Source
Lightweight champion Ilia Topuria (17-0) was originally interested in defending his title against Pimblett. However, Topuria is taking a short hiatus from competition due to personal reasons. Pimblett (23-3) is now scheduled to fight Gaethje (26-5) for the interim lightweight title in the main event at UFC 324 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
Advertisement
Topuria recently revealed that he plans to return between April and June to unify the title against the winner of the UFC 324 headliner. However, Pimblett will be in no rush if he beats Gaethje this weekend. “The Baddy” claims Topuria made him wait and he now wants to return the favor. Pimblett confirmed that he won’t be fighting in a title unifier in April. However, the Liverpudlian will be ready to return in June or July, which isn’t very far from Topuria’s projected timeline.
‘April’s Not Happening’
“He’s gonna have to wait,” Pimblett told TMZ Sports. “He made me wait. He’s gonna have to wait a few months. April’s not happening. I’m not fighting in April, eat s—t. I’ll fight in like June-July.”
Topuria won the featherweight title against Alexander Volkanovski and defended it against Max Holloway before moving up to lightweight. “El Matador” won the vacant lightweight title by knocking out Charles Oliveira last year.
Meanwhile, Pimblett can’t look past Gaethje, who will be a steep step up in competition for him. While undefeated in six UFC outings, Pimblett’s most notable opponents have been Bobby Green and Michael Chandler.
This article first appeared at Recent News on Sherdog.com
Help support MMACrazies.com when you shop Amazon by starting your online Amazon shopping at MMACrazies.com/recommends/amazon. You are not charged extra, but we receive a small and very helpful commission on everything you purchase. Thanks for thinking of us every time you shop at Amazon.
