Hold onto your seats, fight fans, because the UFC world just got a whole lot more heated! Ilia Topuria didn’t hold back after UFC 324, sending a fiery message to both Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje that’s got everyone talking. But here’s where it gets controversial—while Gaethje walked away with the interim lightweight title, Topuria wasn’t shy about calling out Pimblett for what he sees as a missed opportunity. And this is the part most people miss: Topuria didn’t just stop at mocking ‘The Baddy’—he also declared Gaethje ‘screwed’ ahead of their inevitable showdown. Let’s break it all down.
The UFC 324 main event was nothing short of epic, with Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett delivering a five-round war that left fans on the edge of their seats. Gaethje, the 37-year-old legend, secured a unanimous decision victory, setting the stage for a unification bout against the undisputed 155lb king, Ilia Topuria. But Topuria wasn’t impressed with Pimblett’s performance, taking to social media just an hour after the fight to share his unfiltered thoughts.
‘Little sausage, the only thing you had to do was beat a 38-year-old guy,’ Topuria tweeted, clearly unimpressed with Pimblett’s loss. ‘You just lost the biggest paycheck of your life. You were going to get rich if you won.’ Ouch. Topuria didn’t stop there, though. He also had a few words for Gaethje: ‘Justin, all I can say is congratulations… And I’d like to tell you to get ready, but you’re screwed no matter what.’ Bold words from the champ, but are they justified? That’s for you to decide.
Here’s where it gets even more heated: Arman Tsarukyan, the number one lightweight contender, didn’t mince words either. He called Pimblett a ‘trash can’ and claimed the fighter was artificially pushed up the rankings, undeserving of a title shot. ‘This clown couldn’t beat Gaethje on antibiotics,’ Tsarukyan wrote, adding that if it were him or Topuria in the octagon, Gaethje wouldn’t have stood a chance. Tsarukyan even went as far as saying he’d ‘choke him out in the second round,’ criticizing Gaethje’s cardio and Pimblett’s chin. Bold claims, but do they hold water? Let’s debate.
Pimblett, despite the loss, showed incredible heart throughout the fight, and many fans believe he’s still a force to be reckoned with. But Topuria and Tsarukyan’s comments raise a bigger question: Is Pimblett overhyped, or is he simply a victim of unrealistic expectations? And what about Gaethje—is he truly ‘screwed’ against Topuria, or does he have what it takes to unify the title?
Now, here’s the controversial part: Some fans argue that Pimblett’s loss was a blessing in disguise, sparing him from a potentially career-ending fight with Topuria. Others believe he was never ready for the big leagues. What do you think? Is Pimblett a future champion, or is his time in the spotlight already fading? And is Topuria’s trash talk justified, or is he underestimating Gaethje?
Let’s keep the conversation going. Share your thoughts in the comments below—we want to hear from you! And don’t forget to join our newsletter for more exclusive UFC insights delivered straight to your inbox. The octagon may have cooled down, but the debate is just heating up.
