Justin Gaethje Believes Ilia Topuria Would Beat Paddy Pimblett 97 Out of 100 Times
At a recent UFC event, Justin Gaethje was asked a direct question about two fighters he has faced in the Octagon. The interviewer wanted to know who gave him the tougher fight between Ilia Topuria and Paddy Pimblett, and which matchup Gaethje considered more challenging overall.
Gaethje did not hesitate with his answer. He immediately gave strong praise to Ilia Topuria, describing him as one of the best in the world and one of the most dangerous fighters in the sport. Gaethje made it clear that Topuria stands above Paddy Pimblett in terms of pure danger inside the cage.
“He is one of the most dangerous fighters that there is, and he’s a lot more dangerous than Paddy Pimblett,” Gaethje said.
While Gaethje showed respect for Paddy’s success, he explained that much of it comes from his unorthodox and unpredictable style. He described Paddy as “goofy” in a positive way, noting that his funky movement and awkward angles make him difficult to read and hit cleanly.
“Paddy Pimblett is goofy, you know? He’s got a funky style, and not goofy in a bad way,” Gaethje explained. “Being goofy is such an asset. And then he’s really hard to hit, he’s really long, you know, he moves in weird angles and at different times. That throws you off.”
Despite acknowledging Paddy’s awkward and effective style, Gaethje ultimately believed that Ilia Topuria’s elite skill set and finishing ability would prove too much in most scenarios. He gave a very clear prediction on how a fight between the two would play out.
“I think Ilia is way more dangerous,” Gaethje stated. “In my mind, I think 97 out of 100 times, Ilia beats him up.”
Gaethje’s comments reflect the high level of respect he holds for Topuria’s power, precision, and overall fighting ability. At the same time, he gave Paddy credit for the unique challenges his style presents, even while clearly ranking Topuria as the more threatening opponent.
The former interim lightweight champion has now fought both men and offered a rare firsthand comparison. His assessment leaves little doubt about where he stands on the matchup. According to Gaethje, while Paddy’s unorthodox approach can create problems, Ilia Topuria’s combination of skill and danger would win the vast majority of the time.
As both fighters continue to compete at the highest level, Gaethje’s blunt evaluation adds another layer to the ongoing discussion about where each man stands in the lightweight division.
