Pimblett would take Gaethje rematch before Topuria, kept the bottle he threw

MMA-TV Newsroom Summarized with AI Today at 9:13 PM Updated Today at 10:18 PM AI checked 29 minutes ago

The bottom line

Pimblett says he would take a Gaethje rematch before Topuria because Gaethje holds the title, and he kept the sanitizer bottle he threw at Topuria; no fight is booked.

From 8 reports by 6 outlets

Latest Pimblett says he kept the bottle he threw at Topuria Today at 10:18 PM 6 outlets

Pimblett would take Gaethje rematch before Topuria, kept the bottle he threw — Photo via MMA Fighting · added Today at 9:13 PM

What we know

Pimblett had stem cells injected in his left hand and is working around it in training; he has said he will likely return in 2027.
Gaethje won the undisputed UFC lightweight title against Topuria at UFC White House in June.
No fight has been announced for Pimblett against Gaethje or Topuria.
Pimblett says he kept the hand sanitizer bottle he threw at Topuria and will bring it to a future press conference.

Reported, not confirmed

Pimblett doubts he and Topuria will coach The Ultimate Fighter together, saying Topuria does not want to be around him. Bloody Elbow
Gaethje is said to be considering retirement; Pimblett himself thinks Gaethje may not fight again. Heavy on UFC

Paddy Pimblett has a grudge fight with Ilia Topuria available in theory and says he would put it second. On the How U Livin J Piven podcast he said he wants a rematch with lightweight champion Justin Gaethje first, because he wants to be a world champion. "Obviously, I'd rather beat Ilia than beat Justin, but Justin's got the belt," he said. He still says he hates Topuria.

The bottle is the lighter side of the same interview. Pimblett said he kept the hand sanitizer bottle he threw at Topuria's head and will bring it to their next press conference: "When I have a press conference with him, that will be coming with me." Nothing says that press conference is coming soon.

Gaethje beat Pimblett by unanimous decision for the interim lightweight title at UFC 324 in January, then won the undisputed title from Topuria at UFC White House in June. Pimblett has since beaten Benoit Saint Denis with a first-round submission. He admits ego pushed him to trade strikes with Gaethje and says a rematch would go differently: shoot in within the first 10 seconds, take Gaethje down and choke him out.

The obstacle is Gaethje himself. Pimblett doesn't think he will fight again, saying his own coaches told him they would advise retirement after a night like winning the belt at the White House. Arman Tsarukyan, Topuria and Alexander Volkanovski have all been mentioned as possible challengers if Gaethje does return.

Pimblett's own timeline is slow. He said he recently had stem cells injected in his left hand and is training around it, working kicks, elbows and his right hand while switching stances. He has said he will likely return in 2027. He also doubts a Ultimate Fighter coaching stint opposite Topuria would happen, because he believes Topuria does not want to be around him.

Watch for Gaethje's decision on whether he fights again, and for the UFC's lightweight plans, which have not been announced.

Summary: Pimblett says he would take a Gaethje rematch before Topuria because Gaethje holds the title, and he kept the sanitizer bottle he threw at Topuria; no fight is booked.

Key points (one per line): Pimblett says he would rather rematch lightweight champion Justin Gaethje than fight Ilia Topuria next.
He says he kept the hand sanitizer bottle he threw at Topuria and will bring it to a press conference.
Pimblett had stem cells injected in his left hand and has said he will likely return in 2027.
No fight is booked for Pimblett.