Ilia Topuria's callout of Paddy Pimblett suggests he's not immediately in line for a lightweight title shot, indicating a need to prove himself in the division and face top contenders.
Topuria vacated his featherweight title to move up to lightweight, a move confirmed by UFC president Dana White, but a title shot is not guaranteed due to the competitive division.
Despite his undefeated record, Dana White and Paddy Pimblett indicate Topuria won't get an immediate title shot, needing to face top contenders like Poirier or Tsarukyan first.
Pimblett thinks Topuria needs to fight established contenders before earning a title shot, showcasing the competitive nature of the lightweight division and the challenges Topuria will face.
Topuria and Pimblett have a longstanding rivalry since 2022, with ongoing trash talk fueling their animosity and creating a potential grudge match that would generate fan interest.
Topuria's willing to fight Pimblett for a high-profile match, generating fan interest and settling personal scores, rather than solely focusing on the title path and immediate championship opportunity.
The UFC often matches new contenders with established names to build their profile and prepare them for title shots, and Topuria will likely follow this path to earn a championship opportunity.
Dana White hasn't guaranteed Topuria a title shot, reinforcing the idea that he'll need to prove himself in the division and face top contenders before earning a championship opportunity.
Topuria's pursuit of Pimblett suggests he's not in line for an immediate title shot, and he'll need to face top contenders and prove himself in the division to earn a crack at the belt.