Dana White Loves the Idea of Paddy Pimblett vs Ilia Topuria on TUF
White is open to a Pimblett vs Topuria season of The Ultimate Fighter, but the lightweight title picture complicates things.
Dana White is on board with one of the more entertaining ideas to come out of the UFC in a while. Paddy Pimblett suggested last week that he and Ilia Topuria should coach opposite seasons of The Ultimate Fighter, and the UFC boss says he is into it.
"I mean, I love the idea of that," White told reporters at the UFC 332 post-fight press conference, per MMA Mania. "But a lot of things determine how things play out. Not just for TUF, but for certain fights and title fights, we will see how the timing works out."
The complications are real. Justin Gaethje holds the lightweight title and needs a challenger. The UFC is weighing either Gaethje vs Arman Tsarukyan, which is the logical next title fight, or an immediate rematch between Gaethje and Topuria. If Topuria gets the title shot, TUF goes on the back burner. If Tsarukyan gets it, both Pimblett and Topuria could have the window to film a season.
Pimblett pitched the idea with his usual confidence, saying he would get under Topuria's skin in a house setting. The two have traded verbal shots for years without ever sharing a cage, and the beef is one of the more genuine rivalries in the sport right now.
The UFC has historically been reluctant to pay coaches big money for TUF, which could also slow things down. But the entertainment value of these two stuck in the same building for weeks would be hard to pass up.
This is the easiest yes in TUF history. I do not care what the logistics look like, you find a way to put Paddy Pimblett and Ilia Topuria in a house together with cameras rolling. The content writes itself.
Paddy is the best talker the UFC has at lightweight. Topuria is one of the most dangerous fighters on the planet who also happens to have zero tolerance for nonsense. Put those two across a dinner table for six weeks and you have appointment television. TUF has been on life support for years, and this is the matchup that could genuinely bring it back.
The title picture is the only thing that could kill it. If Topuria gets a Gaethje rematch, this dies. But if Tsarukyan gets the shot, there is a natural window. White knows what he has here. Make it happen.
